Effects of Zingiber officinale Essential Oil as a Feed Additive on Zootechnical Performance and Some Biochemical Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Mekuiko Hippolyte, Ondua Moïse, Djitie François, Nzouda Eric, Lemoufouet Jules, Vougat Ronald, Mouchili Mama, Enea Nicolae, Kouamo Justin and Ion Calin

Objective: To reduce problems induced by the use of antibiotics as feed additives in broiler diets and improve their digestive nutrient utilization capacity, the present study was set out to evaluate the effects of Zingiber officinale essential oil as feed additive on zootechnical performance and some biochemical parameters in broilers. Materials and Methods: The trial was conducted from January to June 2023 on 144 COBB 500 chicks (3-week-old with an average weight of 490±34.09 g). Chicks were divided into 4 groups of 36 birds each, in a completely randomized design. Each group was then subdivided into 3 sub-groups of 12 birds (6 males and 6 females), corresponding to the replicates. Within 28 days, the birds were gavaged with 0, 20, 40 and 60 μL of ginger rhizome essential oil per kg body weight corresponding to the 4 groups (LH0, LH20, LH40 and LH60, respectively). Results: Results indicated that live weight gain and average daily gain (56.09±2.21 g/day, 59.37±3.75 g/day 62.97±5.27 g/day and 64.83±3.66 g/day for LH0, LH20, LH40 and LH60, respectively) increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing levels of Zingiber officinale essential oil on the one hand. On the other hand, the use of essential oil led to a decrease in the feed conversion ratio. No significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for feed consumption, carcass characteristics and biochemical parameters studied at any essential oil level compared to the control diet. In economic terms, a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the feed cost per kilogram of chicken live weight was recorded with the use of Z. officinale essential oil. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of Z. officinale essential oil improved the zootechnical performance of broilers and could therefore be used as a feed additive in poultry farming specifically in broilers.

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