Effect of Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella sativa) and Synbiotic Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The study was conducted in broiler chickens to assess the effect of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) and synbiotic (ProMos) on the performance of broilers. 240-day old Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups (T1-T6) with four replicates of 10 chicks each. The treatment groups consisted of: control group (T1) fed basal diet, T2 with 0.5% black cumin seeds powder, T3 with 1.0 % black cumin seeds powder, T4 with 0.05 % synbiotic, T5 with 0.5% black cumin seeds powder and 0.05% synbiotic and T6 was supplemented with 1% black cumin seeds powder and 0.05% synbiotic in diet. Dietary inclusion of black cumin seeds and synbiotic alone and in combination had no influence on feed consumption of birds. Cumulative body weight gain and body weight were significantly higher (P<0.01) in T4 group and lowest in control group. The overall feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T3, T4 and T5 groups than T1. Significantly (P<0.05) higher digestibility of DM was found in T3 and T4 than T1 and T2. Significantly (P< 0.01) higher CP digestibility was found in T3, T4 and T5 groups than T1 and T2. Nitrogen retention was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 than T1(control). Hoverer, no influence was observed on other parameters. Therefore, it can be revealed that black cumin seeds at 1.0 per cent level and synbiotic at 0.05 per cent level and their combination enhanced the overall performance of broilers.