Comparative Study of Feeding Different Levels of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) on Growth Performance of COBB-500 Broilers

Abstract

The present work was aimed to determine the comparative effect of feeding different levels of black cumin on growth, feed consumption, and feed efficiency of COBB-500 broiler. Three hundred and twenty, days-old straight run COBB-500 chicks from a lot of the same hatch were brooded in an electrically operated battery brooder for a period of 7 days, where pre-experimental diet was offered. On the 8th day, chicks having uniform body weight were randomly allocated into four dietary treatments with four replications (20 chicks in each). The isoproteinous and isocaloric formulated standard starter (1-10 days), grower (11-20 days), and finisher (21-42 days) diets were supplemented with different levels of black cumin of T1 - control, T2 - 0.25% black cumin, T3 - 0.5% black cumin, and T4 - 0.75% black cumin, respectively. The chicks were offered ad libitum treatment diets and clean drinking water. The desired data were recorded weekly, which included live weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and feed efficiency of broiler birds. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis under completely randomized design as per the methods of MSTAT. Final live weight of the birds was found highly significant (P < 0.01) for all treatment groups. Highest final weight gain (2244.59 g) was found in birds fed ration supplemented with 0.5% black cumin. Daily live weight of the birds was also found highly significant (P < 0.01) for all treatment groups. Highest daily live weight gain (60.27 g) was found in birds fed ration supplemented with 0.5% black cumin. Supplementation of black cumin in the broiler rations did not exhibit any significant effect (P > 0.05) on the total feed consumption. Feed conversion ratio was found significantly different (P < 0.01) for all treatment groups. It is, therefore, concluded that inclusion of black cumin in the broiler rations could be economical and efficient production of broilers.