EFFECTS OF TURMERIC PASTE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, IMMUNE RESPONSE AND BLOOD CHARACTERISTICS IN JAPANESE QUAIL

Abstract

The experiment was conducted from February to March 2018 at the poultry research shed under the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur. The present study was investigated to know the effects of turmeric paste on growth performance, immune response and Blood characteristics in quail. In this study, forty 14-days old quails were assigned to four dietary treatments named T0, T1, T2 & T3 with Ten (10) birds in each groups in completely randomized design. Turmeric paste was supplemented to T0, T1, T2 & T3 through feed at the rates of 0%, 0.5%, 1.5% and 2.5% respectively throughout the rearing period from 14-day old to 49-day old. Body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were measured on a weekly basis. Blood samples were collected at the 35th and 49th day of age for determination of Blood characteristics (PCV, Hb and ESR) and antibody titers against infectious coryza. At the end of the experiment, 3 birds per group were slaughtered to obtain carcass characteristics data. The results of this study was indicated that final live weight gain and feed conversion ratio of birds was significantly (p<0.05) higher that received 2.5% turmeric paste compared to control T0. This result also indicated that body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio was increased along with increasing dose of Turmeric paste. Carcass characteristics were no significant difference among the treatment group except breast meat weight. Blood parameters (PCV and Hb) there were significant (p<0.05) difference among the treatment groups. Turmeric supplementation improved antibody titers against infectious coryza. It can be concluded that turmeric has the potential to improve growth performance, immune response and blood characteristics and its use at 2.5% through feed is recommended for better results.