Growth Performance, Quantitative Analysis and Economics of Broiler Chickens as Influenced by Herbal Dietary Additives as Alternative Growth Booster

The poultry sector in India has transformed into a dynamic agribusiness, propelled by domestic economic growth and changes in consumption patterns. Ranking as the world’s fourth-largest chicken producer, India follows China, Brazil and the USA. Over the past five years, chicken meat consumption in India has escalated from 400 grams to 2.5 kilograms per person annually (Gaikwad et al., 2019). Broiler meat known for its rich content of high-quality proteins, minerals and vitamins is often treated with various synthetic medications and growth enhancers. These substances, while costly, can negatively impact bird health and possess long-term residual effects (Thi Huong-Anh et al., 2020). Growth promoters are commonly added to chicken feed to enhance appetite, improve feed conversion, stimulate the immune system and regulate intestinal microflora among other benefits. However, the last five decades have seen both advantages and disadvantages in the use of antibiotics, leading to a renewed focus on natural antimicrobial agents as vital resources.

Natural growth promoters like garlic, ginger and cinnamon have emerged as viable substitutes for conventional artificial enhancers such as antibiotics (Rathaur et al., 2023). Garlic (Allium sativum), long used as a spice and traditional medicine is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-cholesteremic, anticancer and vasodilatory properties. Allicin, garlic’s primary active compound, decomposes into several bioactive organosulphur compounds (Gopikrishnan et al., 2022).

Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, serves as a delicacy, medicine and spice. Early studies suggest that compounds in ginger may interact with serotonin receptors, potentially affecting gastrointestinal functions. In-vitro studies have shown that ginger extract can manage free radical levels and lipid peroxidation, as well as exhibit anti-diabetic properties (Al-Amin et al., 2006 and Morakinyo et al., 2011).

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) commonly known as “dalchini” is important medicinal plants and widely used in India. A member of the Lauraceae family, cinnamon is reported by Nath et al. (2023) to have appetite and digestion-stimulating properties. It contains essential oils like cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamate and others, which possess antibacterial and antioxidant properties, as well as other medicinal benefits, including antiulcer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects (Singh et al., 2007). Based on the aforementioned information, the current study was conducted to assess the growth performance of broiler chickens supplemented with garlic, ginger, cinnamon powder and their combination at different levels.

The research was conducted during the year of 2022, 2023 and month of February - March, summer season at the AnSan Poultry Farm, located in the Palakkad District of Kerala. During this period, the average temperature varied between 27 to 35°C with relative humidity levels ranging from 63 to 75 per cent. The ingredients for the study, readymade powder of garlic, ginger and cinnamon were purchased from the local market. The experiment involved one hundred and forty day-old broiler chicks, each weighing approximately 36.88±0.24 grams, obtained from Sakthi Farms Pvt. Ltd., based in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.

Upon arrival, the chicks were identified using wing bands and placed in a brooding environment, where the temperature was meticulously maintained between 33.9 to 35°C for the first three days. Vaccinations against Marek’s Disease, Ranikhet Disease and Infectious Bursal Disease were administered according to the standard schedule. Throughout the experiment, strict biosecurity protocols were observed.

The chicks were individually weighed and evenly distributed into seven distinct treatment groups, labeled T₀ through T₆, with each group containing 10 chicks. This distribution was carried out in accordance with a randomized block design (RBD). The experimental diets, detailed in Table 1, were specially formulated for both the starter and finisher phases to meet the nutrient requirements as per ICAR guidelines. The control group, T₀, was given a basal diet while groups T₁ through T6 received variations of the basal diet with different combinations of garlic, ginger and cinnamon.



The performance of the broiler chickens was meticulously monitored during the starter and finisher phases, as well as throughout the entire experiment. Key metrics such as body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were recorded. Additionally, the broiler performance efficiency Index was calculated following the method described by Martins et al. (2016). The data collected during the experiment were analyzed using RStudio, employing one-way ANOVA for statistical analysis. The results were further examined using a post-hoc test (Tukey HSD test) at a 5% significance level. The economics of broiler production was worked out by considering the total cost of production which included the feed cost, chicks, labour, medicines, vaccines and the overhead costs.

The study conducted to evaluate the effects of garlic, ginger and cinnamon on broiler chickens gives notable results across various performance metrics: average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight (BW) and broiler performance efficiency index (BPEI). The comparative treatment effects through boxplots of ADFI, ADG and FCR and its standardized residuals and normality Q-Q plots for ANOVA are visualized in Fig 1 and 2.



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Average daily gain
 
The study’s assessment of the effect of dietary supplements on the Average Daily Gain (ADG) of broiler chickens across various treatments (T₀ through T₆) provides insightful results (Table 2 and Fig 3). Body weight gain (g) of birds in combination of garlic and ginger T₄ (1971.29 g) showed significantly (P<0.001) higher values as compared to control and it was followed by T6 (1880.62 g). Garlic contains compounds like allicin and oregano sulfur compounds responsible for inhibition of pathogenic bacteria and fungi resulting in improved gut environment and higher weight gain of experimental birds. It has been an established fact that ginger in the diets stimulate lactic acid bacteria and decreases pathogenic bacteria such as mesophilic aerobic, coliform and E. coli and thus improves absorption of nutrients for better weight gain of the birds. The results are consistent with Arshad et al., (2012) who stated that use of ginger in broilers had a significant (P<0.001) positive effect on the body weight gain as compared to the control. Sang-oh et al., (2013) also concluded that cinnamon treated birds had higher body weight gain.

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Quantitative analysis
 
The ADG was measured during different growth phases: 0-6 days, 7-21 days, 22-42 days and the overall period of 0-42 days. In the initial growth phase (Days 0-6), our analysis revealed modest but noticeable differences in ADG among the treatments (F-statistic = 3.6, p-value = 0.02). The initial days post-hatching, as these studies suggest, are crucial for setting the trajectory of growth, albeit the response to dietary changes is comparatively subdued (Giraldo-Deck et al., 2022).

A pronounced increase in ADG was observed during these phases (Days 7-21) and (Days 22-42), particularly for treatment T₄ (basal diet + 0.25% Garlic + 0.25% Ginger), which recorded the highest ADG (651.27 g/day for days 7-21; 1198.91 g/day for days 22-42). This might be due to synergistic effects of garlic and ginger in enhancing growth rates, potentially by improving nutrient assimilation and metabolism. The interplay of these spices, as per recent studies, seems to optimize physiological functions crucial for growth (Singh et al., 2019).

Throughout the 42-day period, T₄ consistently demonstrated superior growth performance, indicating its efficacy across the broiler’s lifespan. The cumulative ADG for T4 stood at 1971.29 g/day, significantly outperforming other treatments. This comprehensive growth enhancement aligns with findings from the works of Eltazi (2014) emphasizing the holistic benefits of combining natural dietary additives like Garlic and Ginger. These ingredients are becoming increasingly recognized for their role in sustainable and efficient poultry growth promotion.
 
Average daily feed intake
 
The assessment of the Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) in broiler chickens subjected to various dietary supplements reveals notable findings, particularly when comparing the control group (T0) with treatments T1 through T6 (Table 3 and Fig 4). The analysis spanned different growth phases: 0-6 days, 7-21 days, 22-42 days and an overall period of 0-42 days.

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It was observed that ADFI differed significantly (P<0.001) during days 7-21 and days 22-42. During d 7-21, ADFI was highest in T₀, followed by T₆ and lowest in T₁ group. Overall feed intake (d 0-42) significantly (P<0.05) decreased in response to supplementation than control. This might be due to effect of increasing levels of dietary herb ginger powder caused a significant reduction in feed consumption. Present findings were in agreement with, Arshad et al., (2012) who concluded that addition of garlic and ginger extract in poultry diet reduced the feed intake.
 
Quantitative analysis
 
In the earliest phase of the broilers’ growth (Days 0-6), our study noted negligible variations in ADFI across all treatments (F-statistic = 0.7, p-value = 0.60). This aligns with findings by Murugesan et al., (2015), who also observed minimal impact of dietary changes in the first week of broiler chickens’ life. This phase, as per current understanding, seems less responsive to dietary manipulations, perhaps due to the inherent metabolic and physiological characteristics of newly hatched broilers. A significant shift was observed during days 7-21, where treatment T₂ (basal diet + 0.5% Ginger) exhibited the lowest ADFI (861.25 g/day) (F-statistic = 18.27, p-value = 0.00). This reduction in feed intake may be attributable to ginger’s bioactive compounds, which, as per Al-Zaffer et al. (2022), can influence gut health and metabolism. Ginger’s role in modulating feed intake has been increasingly recognized in poultry nutrition, possibly due to its impact on enhancing digestive efficiency.

The most significant outcome was observed in treatment T6 (basal diet + 0.25% Ginger + 0.25% Cinnamon), which showed the lowest ADFI both in the later phase and overall (F-statistic = 4.91, p-value = 0.00 for days 22-42; F-statistic = 6.40, p-value = 0.00 for days 0-42). This synergistic effect of ginger and cinnamon is corroborated by recent studies, such as those by Al-Ghamdi (2022), which suggest that certain spice combinations can optimize feed efficiency by influencing digestive enzymes and gut microbiota. The use of these spices, particularly in combination, has emerged as a promising strategy in poultry nutrition, reflecting a shift towards more natural and sustainable feeding practices.
 
Feed conversion ratio
 
The investigation into the effects of dietary supplements on Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in broiler chickens, encompassing treatments T₀ to T₆, unveils significant insights (Table 4 and Fig 5). During d 7-21 and 22-42, all the supplemented groups (T₁ to T₆) showed better FCR (P<0.001) than control group. Overall FCR (d 0-42) ranged from 1.67 to 1.96 in supplemented groups, which was significantly (P<0.001) better than control (1.96). Within supplemented groups, T₄, T₅ and T₆ groups performed better than other groups. This effect was more pronounced for birds fed with Garlic, Ginger and Cinnamon supplemented groups. The findings of present study were in accordance with results reported by Najafi and Taherpour (2014). Windisch et al. (2009) work on the proven effects of phytobiotic feed additives in different poultry species, indicated a reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio.

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Quantitative analysis
 
The FCR, a crucial indicator of feed efficiency, was meticulously monitored across various growth stages: 0-6 days, 7-21 days, 22-42 days and the entire 42-day period. Integrating these findings with contemporary research and developments in poultry science provides a deeper understanding.

During this early phase (Days 0-6), the study noted moderate yet statistically significant variations in FCR among the treatments (F-statistic = 5.53, p-value = 0.00). This is in line with Zou (2018) observations, which highlighted the early influence of dietary additives on young broilers’ feed efficiency. The initial days post-hatching are crucial and even subtle dietary modifications can set the trajectory for future feed utilization efficiency. (Days 7-21), a noteworthy reduction in FCR was observed with treatment T₅ (basal diet + 0.25% Garlic + 0.25% Cinnamon), registering the lowest FCR of 1.33. This aligns with the findings of Krauze et al., (2021), who reported the potent effects of Garlic and Cinnamon in enhancing nutrient absorption and metabolic efficiency. The bioactive compounds in these spices appear to play a significant role in optimizing feed conversion during this critical growth phase.

In the later growth phase and overall, treatment T6 (basal diet + 0.25% Ginger + 0.25% Cinnamon) demonstrated the most efficient FCR. These results resonate with recent studies, such as those by Shehata (2022), which underscore the synergistic effects of Ginger and Cinnamon in improving feed utilization. The combination of these spices seems to enhance digestive processes and nutrient uptake, leading to a more efficient conversion of feed into body mass.
 
Body weight and broiler performance efficiency index
 
The research examining the effects of dietary supplements on body weight (BW) and broiler performance efficiency index (BPEI) across various treatments, from T0 to T₆, offers pivotal insights into broiler chicken growth and efficiency (Table 5). Which indicate the highest live weight (g) was obtained in T₄ (2011.92 g) followed by T₆ (1914.38 g) treatments. The zero days average live weights of each treatment were comparable. The final body weight of birds was significantly (P<0.001) higher in all supplemented treatment groups in comparison to control.  The significant increase in final body weight of birds fed garlic and ginger confirms the findings of Tikate et al., 2008) who fed herbal plants (garlic and ginger) as growth promoters in broiler diets and observed a pronounced improvement in their body weight. Better performance was observed when basal diet with combination of 0.25% garlic and 0.25% ginger were fed to broiler chickens. This may be due to synergistic effect of Garlic and Ginger. Synergistic feed additives operate by combining their individual effects to produce outcomes that are superior to those of their single use (Ren et al., 2019). These results might be due to the good health status of the birds, which may be caused by the addition of garlic and might also be due to the chemical composition of garlic Fadlalla et al. (2010). Farinu et al., (2004) also reported that the body weight of the cinnamon powder groups were increased significantly (P<0.05) when compared to the control group.

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Quantitative analysis
 
The significant F-statistic and p-values for BW (30.28 and 0.00, respectively) and BPEI (240.62 and 0.00, respectively) strongly support these findings. These statistical figures indicate a pronounced difference between the treatment groups and the control, underscoring the effectiveness of the dietary interventions.

The study’s finding that treatment T₄ (basal diet with 0.25% Garlic and 0.25% Ginger) led to the highest BW increase is in harmony with findings by Karangiya et al. (2016). These researchers highlighted the significant role of natural additives like Garlic and Ginger in boosting growth, potentially due to enhanced nutrient absorption and improved gut health. The recorded BW of 2011.92 grams in T₄, surpassing the control group’s BW, underscores the efficacy of this dietary combination. For BPEI, treatment T6 (basal diet with 0.25% Ginger and 0.25% Cinnamon) showed the most remarkable efficiency, with a score of 215.94. This aligns with the findings of Irawan (2021), who emphasized the synergistic impact of Ginger and Cinnamon on overall broiler performance. Such combinations are thought to enhance metabolic efficiency, thereby improving the broilers’ overall growth and health.
 
Economics
 
Higher broiler production with lesser cost of cultivation could result in better economic parameters like net returns and B: C ratio (Table 6). Moreover, broilers in treatment groups T₄ gained highest body weight with feed cost of Rs. 150.4 and lowest in T₀ (control) group gained lowest body weight with feed cost Rs. 139.9. Highest profit per bird was observed in T₄ (basal diet with 0.25% garlic and 0.25% ginger) (Rs. 25.17) followed by T6 (basal diet with 0.25% ginger and 0.25% Cinnamon (Rs. 22.15) and other treatments while lowest in T₀ (9.47). Similarly highest benefit cost ratio (1.59) was found in T4 supplemented with garlic and ginger powder followed by T₆ (1.56). Present findings are in agreement with (Arshad et al., 2012; Eltazi, 2014).

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The research establishes that incorporating 0.25% garlic and 0.25% ginger into the basal diet of broilers significantly enhances their growth performance. This dietary approach notably improves average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, broiler performance efficiency index, body weight, highest profit per bird and benefit cost ratio. Furthermore, the combination of 0.25% ginger and 0.25% cinnamon also demonstrates a positive impact on growth metrics. These findings highlight the efficacy of garlic and ginger at specific concentrations as potent dietary supplements for broiler chickens.  From the result of present study it was concluded that dietary inclusion of 0.25% garlic and 0.25% ginger can be used as growth promoters for more profit per bird. They underscore the potential of these natural additives in promoting healthier and more efficient poultry growth. This research paves the way for more sustainable and natural approaches in poultry nutrition.

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.