Abstract: |
The present study investigated the impacts of dried okra fruit powder (DOFP), used as a natural feed supplement, on growth, carcass, blood, and meat
quality parameters of broilers. A total of 240 unsexed, oneweek-old chicks were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups
with 6 replicates in each group (i.e., 10 birds/replicate).
The dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet as
control, and 3 DOFP groups, supplemented with 1.0, 2.0,
and 3.0 g DOFP/kg feed, respectively. The results showed
that the highest values of live body weight and body
weight gain were observed in the group with 1.0 g of
DOFP/kg of feed during the fifth week of age and between
1 and 5 wk of age, respectively. During 1 to 3 wk of age,
daily feed consumption of chicks fed DOFP-supplemented
diets increased numerically with increasing DOFP levels.
Dietary treatments significantly depressed liver, thigh,
and dressing fat percentages. Chicks fed the diet
containing 1.0 g of DOFP/kg of feed had the lowest values
for serum urea and creatinine compared with the other
treatment group. In addition, the concentration of liver
enzymes decreased with increasing DOFP levels, except
for the groups fed 3.0 and 1.0 g of DOFP/kg of diet.
Oxidative rancidity of broiler meat samples containing
DOFP in their diets was lower than that of the control
samples, throughout the storage period. It can be
concluded that DOFP is a useful phytogenic additive,
which can lower the percentage of abdominal fat of the
carcass, as well as alanine aminotransferase, urea, and
creatinine in the blood. Furthermore, all sensory characteristics of the meat were improved by the addition of
DOFP to broiler diets. It could be concluded that DOFP
can be used as a natural supplement in broiler diets for
improving growth performance and reducing abdominal
fat, blood creatinine, and urea.
|
|
|