Visceral Characteristics of Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Supplemented with Turmeric Rhizome Powder (Curcuma longa)

Abstract

Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric known to serve as an antioxidant, anti-mutagen, and anti-carcinogen. A hundred broiler chickens were subjected to a feeding experiment subdivided into five treatments (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 grams of turmeric rhizome powder per kilogram of basal diet) at four replications in a randomized complete block design and brooded at 15 days and 30 days under the feed trial to determine the effect of turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) on the visceral organs of broiler chickens. TRP increased the small intestinal length as well as the weight of the Fabricius bursa and liver (p < 0.05). TRP significantly reduced abdominal fat and small intestinal weight (p < 0.05). TRP administration did not alter the weight of the pancreas, heart, spleen, and gallbladder (p > 0.05). It is suggested that increased intestinal length improve water and nutrient absorption, whereas increased weight in the liver and bursa of Fabricius indicates an improved immune system in broiler chickens. More research into the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase parameter in the blood to check the health state of the liver, as well as a confirmatory investigation on the influence of TRP on the heart's properties, is recommended.