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This study was conducted to determine the effect of varying levels of fenugreek seed powder as feed additive on the growth performance, carcass, internal organ characteristics and nutrient digestibility coefficient of broiler finisher chickens. The experiment utilized a total of one hundred and sixty (160) broiler finisher chickens of Abor Arce breed. Four experimental diets were formulated, incorporating fenugreek seed powder at levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300g per kilogram of feed, labelled T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The birds were divided into four (4) groups of forty (40) birds each, and each group was assigned one of the diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Further division within each group resulted in four (4) replicates of ten (10) birds each. Feed and water were provided ad libitum, and the collected data underwent statistical analysis. The duration of the experiment was 28 days. The results indicated notable differences (p<0.05) in final weight gain, body weight gain, and feed intake among the birds across the treatments. T4 demonstrated the highest significant (p<0.05) values for feed intake, which increased with the higher levels of fenugreek seed powder in the diet. The feed conversion ratio of the birds remained unaffected by the diet, with T4 showing the lowest feed conversion ratio. Additionally, the live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, and primal cut-parts (thigh, drumstick, back, wing, and breast) were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the diets, with T4 recording the highest values for these parameters. The internal organs of the birds were not impacted by the diet, while a significant reduction in abdominal fat was observed in T4. Furthermore, the nutrient digestibility coefficient of the broiler chickens was significantly affected (p<0.05) by the diet, with T4 exhibiting the highest significant nutrient digestibility coefficient value. Hence, it can be concluded that adding fenugreek seed powder to broiler diets at 300g/100kg feed as a feed additive enhances growth performance, carcass internal organ characteristics, and nutrient digestibility coefficient of the birds.
Essien et al. (Sat,) studied this question.