Curcuma longa as feed additive in broiler birds and its patho-physiological effects

Broiler birds (Vencob chicken of 3 days old) when given feed mixed with powdered rhizome of Curcuma longa (CL; @ 1 g/kg) for 42 days of age, showed significant decrease in serum uric acid and albumin as compared to control, whereas significant increase was recorded in the level of serum total protein and globulin. Level of serum glucose, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino transferase and calcium showed no significant variation between the two groups. Micronutrient assay revealed significantly higher level of manganese, zinc, iron and copper in treated group as compared to control group. HA/HI test revealed better humoral response against RD vaccine in CL administered birds. Haematological study showed significantly higher haemoglobin and absolute neutrophil count in treated group. Addition of CL as feed additive also resulted in better growth rate, feed consumption and F:C efficiency in the treated birds. Thus, it could be concluded that powdered CL might be a useful feed additive, since it enhanced the F:C efficiency and had nephroprotective properties.