The role of peppermint (Mentha piperita) on performance in broiler diets

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the performance of broilers fed diets supplemented with dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.),which are among the alternative growth promoters. A total of 200 (Hubbard ) broiler chicks were used in this study Five levels of whole peppermint, 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% were incorporated into the basal diet for six weeks . The feeding period for all groups lasted for 42 days. The results have appeared that there is an improvement in performance traits for all treated groups compared with the control group. However, the chicks feed with 0.50 % peppermint performed better than those fed with 1.5% peppermint concerning weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and dressing percent, there was no significant effect was noticed on the addition of the peppermint to the diet on blood traits (PCV% , RBC , Hb% and WBC) , unless liver weight shows that were significant between treatments compared with control. For the H/L ratio shows significant difference between treatments compared with control.