Garlic (Allium sativum) Powder as an Additive in Broilers (Finisher Phase) Part 2: Growth Performance, Hypocholesterolemic Effect and Economic Implications

This study was designed to investigate the effects of garlic powder as a phyto-additive in broiler diets as a growth promoter with cholesterolemic properties and to also determine the economic implications when garlic powder is used in broiler diets. One hundred and ninety-two day old commercial broilers were used for this experiment and they were randomly allotted to four treatments and four replicates. Powdered garlic was incorporated into the bird’s diet at 0 gKg-1, 2 gKg-1, 3 gKg-1 and 4 gKg-1 additive levels. The performance parameters progressively improved by increasing dietary garlic powder from 2 gKg-1 up to 3 gKg-1 but reduced when garlic inclusion level was increased beyond 3 gKg-1. The highest average feed intake of 110.13±2.60 g/bird/day was obtained for birds on diet with 2 gKg-1 garlic supplementation. The highest average weight gain value of 48.73±2.64 g/bird/day was also obtained for birds on 2gKg-1 garlic supplemented diet. The optimum feed conversion ratio value of 2.27±0.14 was obtained at 2 gKg-1 garlic supplemented diet. The nitrogen retention values were similar (P>0.05) for all experimental birds. The live weight of 2524.70±59.9 g was the highest for birds on 2 gKg-1 garlic diet but similar (P>0.05) to the live weight value of 2468.30±26.0 g obtained for birds on 3 gKg-1 garlic supplemented diet. The total cholesterol was consistently higher (P<0.05) at 3.41±0.13 g/dl for birds on the control diet without any garlic powder. Other total cholesterol values of 2.43±0.04 g/dl, 2.68±0.16g/dl and 2.69±0.10g/dl obtained for birds on 2 gKg-1, 3 gKg-1 and 4 gKg-1 garlic supplemented diets, respectively were similar (P>0.05). The highest average body weight was attained on the 56 day for birds on the 2gKg-1 garlic supplemented diet and the cost benefit (feed/kg of live weight) was lowest for birds on 2 gKg-1 garlic supplemented diet at N243.94 and highest at N290.20 for birds on 4gKg-1 garlic supplemented diet. The best performance, carcass characteristics and the serum constituents of birds was attained by the group of birds fed with diet containing 2 gKg-1 garlic. The inclusion level of garlic at 2 gKg-1 is the most suitable as it is economically cheaper andhad more nutritional benefits for broiler production.