Comparative efficacy of Nigella sativa and Allium sativum as growth promoters in broilers

The present work was aimed at knowing the effect of various levels of garlic (Allium sativum) and kalongi (Nigella sativa) as herbal growth promoters on the (i) growth performance of broilers and on the (ii) dressing percentage, relative weight of heart, gizzard, liver, spleen and pancreas of the broilers. One hundred and fifty day old broiler (Hubbard) chicks were divided in five groups viz., A, B, C, D and E. Group A served as control and was fed ration without any supplementation. Whereas group B and C were fed ration supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% kalongi, respectively. Similarly the birds in group D and E were fed ration supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% garlic, respectively. The experimental rations consisted of broiler starter mash and broiler finisher mash, which were fed from 2-4 and 5-6 weeks of age, respectively. The supplementation of kalongi and garlic in the broiler ration significantly (P less than 0.05) improved the weight gain of the birds of various groups as compared to those of control group. The birds' (in group D) using ration supplemented with 0.5% garlic gained the highest live weight (1588 g) among the treated groups and the best-feed conversion ratio (1.91). Different levels of the herbal growth promoters did not exhibit any significant influence upon the feed intake values of the experimental groups. There was no difference (P greater than .05) between the average dressing percentages, relative giblet weight (heart, gizzard, liver & spleen) and relative pancreas weight of the broilers fed rations with or without supplementation of garlic or kalongi. It is therefore concluded that dietary inclusion of garlic or kalongi in the rations may be used for economical and efficient production of broilers.