Growth response, carcass characteristics and economic returns of broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome meal as a feed additive.

Abstract

The study investigated the performance, carcass characteristics, and feed cost-benefit analysis (FCBA) of broiler chickens fed diets containing ginger rhizome meal (GRM) as a feed additive. A total of 150-day-old chicks (Ross 308) purchased from reputable source at Ibadan were divided into five dietary groups after one week of acclimatization. There were five treatments, each replicated three times in a CRD over 49 days, with each treatment comprising 30 birds. Diet 1 (0.0% ginger) served as the control, while Diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 contained 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.25% ginger, respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the study. Performance results showed no significant differences (P>0.05) between dietary treatments. However, significant (p<0.05) differences in carcass yield were observed in breast weight (34.67%, Diet 2) and shank weight (4.39%, Diet 1) showing the highest values. Though significant (P>0.05) differences were not observed in the FCBA, the best cost was observed in birds fed Diet 2, with a production cost of ₦1058.86, revenue of ₦3065.00, and a gross margin of ₦1098.50. This study indicated that incorporating GRM into broiler feed is a profitable venture for African poultry producers and nutritionists considering the highest profit index values (revenue and gross margin) observed in all the ginger treatment groups, especially at a 0.10% inclusion level. Therefore, GRM can be used as an alternative growth promoter without any negatively affecting overall performance. It was concluded that the inclusion of 0.10% GRM in the diet of broiler chickens can improve breast yield.