Improving feed efficiency and antioxidant properties in Thai native chickens by supplementing Thai rice paddy herb (Limnophila aromatic (Lam.) Merr.) powder
This study aimed to investigate the benefits of adding Thai rice paddy herb (Limnophila aromatic (Lam.) Merr.) powder to the diet of Thai native chickens. Using a randomized completely block design (RCBD), 200 mixed-gender chickens were assigned to groups that received varying amounts of rice p...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Integrative Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/vis/article/view/268391 |
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| Summary: | This study aimed to investigate the benefits of adding Thai rice paddy herb (Limnophila aromatic (Lam.) Merr.) powder to the diet of Thai native chickens. Using a randomized completely block design (RCBD), 200 mixed-gender chickens were assigned to groups that received varying amounts of rice paddy herb powder (RPHP): 0% (Control), 1% (RPHP1), 2% (RPHP2), and 3% (RPHP3), along with oxytetracycline (OTC) at 0.25% in the diet. The addition of RPHP to the diet did not result in significant changes in body weight, body weight gain, or average daily gain (P>0.05). When compared to the control group, the RPHP-supplemented group had significantly lower feed intake and feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). Both RPHP1 and RPHP2 groups had comparable total feed costs and benefit-cost ratios to the control group (P>0.05). In contrast, the inclusion of OTC increased total feed costs, resulting in a lower benefit-cost ratio (P<0.05). Carcass analysis revealed no significant effects from RPHP supplementation, whereas OTC significantly reduced spleen percentage and spleen index (P<0.05). Except for the lightness of breast meat, which decreased significantly in the RPHP2 group compared to the control group (P<0.05), meat quality did not differ significantly among treatment groups (P>0.05). Additionally, supplementation of RPHP, particularly RPHP3, increased SOD and T-AOC levels in meat while decreasing O2- and MDA levels (P<0.05). Taken together, these findings indicated that Thai native chickens fed Thai rice paddy herb powder increased feed efficiency without changing meat quality or carcass characteristics. The inclusion of RPHP at a concentration of 3% in the diet showed potential in enhancing the antioxidant properties of meat. |
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| ISSN: | 2629-9968 |