See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/281785311

Effects of Graded Levels of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Meal as Feed Additive

on Growth Performance Characteristics of Broiler Chicks

Article · April 2013

CITATIONS READS

13 1,299

1 author:

Otokini Smile George

University of Port Harcourt
28 PUBLICATIONS 130 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Otokini Smile George on 11 June 2018.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438

Effects of Graded Levels of Ginger (Zingiber

officinale) Meal as Feed Additive on Growth
Performance Characteristics of Broiler Chicks
George O. S.1*, Kaegon S. G.2, Igbokwe, A. A.3
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria


Corresponding Author: George O.S
E-mail: osmilegeorge@yahoo.com

Abstract: A 56 day experiment was conducted using ninety eight day-old Anak broiler chicks to investigate the growth performance
characteristics of broiler fed graded levels of Ginger meal as feed additive. The birds were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments
(T1-T4) in a completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment consisted of 24 birds per treatment with 8 birds per replicate. The
ginger was incorporated at graded levels of 0g, 2g, 4g and 6g per kg feed in T1 (control), T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Performance
parameters such as feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were collected and recorded weekly. Data collected were
subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), there were significant differences (P< 0.05) in feed intake, body weight gain and feed
conversion ratio and the best results were recorded in T4 (6g per kg of feed) which had the highest overall performance while T1
(control) had the lowest performance.

Keywords: Ginger, Growth Performance, Feed additives and Broiler Chicks

1. Introduction 2. Materials and Methods

The shortage of animal protein source is alarming and The experiment was carried out in the University of Port
evident in developing countries especially in Africa. Harcourt Research and Demonstration Farm, Choba,
Poultry production, however, proffers a faster and cheaper Rivers State, Nigeria and it lasted for a period of 56 days.
means of arresting this problem in developing countries in
the world (Oluyemi and Roberts 1988, Kehinde et al., 98 mixed sex day old broiler chicks of Anak strain were
2011).As a result of the ban of antibiotic products, there subjected to the same management conditions. All the
has been growing interest in the use of natural herbs and birds were properly housed in a deep litter system in an
medicinal plants such as ginger, garlic, onion as feed open sided poultry house. The pen compartments
additives in poultry diets in order to maximise their measuring 1m x 2m were demarcated with wire mesh and
potential output (Joke and Susan, 2007). wooden frame. Wood shavings were used as litter
material. In order to boost their immunity, the birds were
The use of ginger as substitute for antibiotic growth vaccinated against Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis
promoters is desirable for greater productivity of poultry, and Gumboro disease according to the vaccination
increased palatability of feed, nutrient utilization, appetite schedule. Water and feed were provided ad-libitum.
stimulation, increase in the flow of gastric juice and Weekly body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio
piquancy to tasteless food (Owen and Amakiri, 2012). as well as mortality were recorded as it occurred
throughout the period of the study. The birds were kept
Various feed additives are used in poultry to maximize net under strict hygienic conditions and confined throughout
returns and carcass quality of birds. In the past, growth- the experimental period; other poultry routine management
promoting antibiotics were used as feed additives; practices such as general observation of birds to check for
however, these were associated with storage of undesirable abnormalities, washing of drinkers and feeders and feeding
residues in the meat and eggs of poultry products which of birds, cleaning of the poultry environment etc were
may be harmful to man when consumed, and have been maintained. The birds were randomly selected, weighed to
banned or limited in many countries due to these suspected get their initial body weight and then allotted to four (4)
residual effects (Diarra et al., 2011). As a result, natural dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) at 24 birds per
alternatives to antibiotics, such as herbs and medicinal treatment and 8 birds per replicate in a Completely
plants, have attracted attention due to their wide range of Randomized Design (CRD).
potential beneficial effects (Manesh et al., 2012). Thus the
use of plants such as Ginger, Garlic and Onions as Fresh ginger rhizomes were purchased from fruit garden,
alternatives to antibiotic feed additives is becoming more D/Line Port harcourt, Rivers State. They were washed,
and more popular (Joke and Susan, 2007). The current chopped into tiny pieces, oven dried and then milled into
study therefore; seek to investigate the growth powder. The powdered ginger was stored in an air tight
performance characteristics of broiler fed graded levels of polyethene bag until required for use. Four experimental
Ginger meal as feed additive diets were formulated with powdered ginger incorporated
into the formulated diets at different levels of inclusion for
broiler starter and finisher diets as shown in table 1.
Volume 4 Issue 3, March 2015
www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: 02014697 805
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438
Average weekly feed intake was recorded by subtracting feed, the higher the appetite thus the higher the feed intake
feed left over from quantity of feed given during the week. Ademola et al., (2009).
Weekly body weight was also recorded and total body
weight gain was determined after the experiment by Results showed that body weight gain was significantly
subtracting the initial body weight in the first week from influenced by the dietary treatment. Decreased feed intake
the final body weight in the last week of the experiment, in T1 (0g of ginger/kg of feed) and T2 (2g of ginger/kg of
feed conversion ratio was determined using the methods of feed) resulted in a corresponding decrease in body weight
Contreras-Castillo et al (2008) by dividing the total feed gain whereas the improvement in weight achieved by
intake by the total body weight gained per treatment. ginger supplementation over the control indicates that
Average weekly and daily feed intake, average weekly and ginger has a positive impact on the growth of the birds.
daily body weight gain were also calculated. Mortality was This improvement is due to improved gut environment and
recorded throughout the period of the study as it occurred. micro flora achieved with ginger supplementation
Ademola et al., 2009. This effect is attributed to the fact
All data obtained were subjected to the analysis of that the susceptibility of pathogenic gram positive bacteria
Variance (ANOVA) according to Steel and Torrie (1980) to the antibacterial components of ginger are higher than
and their means separated using Duncan Multiple Range that of the physiological desirable intestinal bacteria
Test (DMRT) according to Duncan (1955) using the (Reeds et al., 1993; Cullen et al., 2005). This observation
Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. is in line with the findings of Shi et al., (1999) and
Javandel et al. (2008). It is also backed up by the findings
3. Results and Discussion of Conley (1997) who observed that ginger acts as
stimulant for feed digestion and conversion which increase
The feed intake (g/bird) of broilers as influenced by body weight gain. Its active compounds which improves
dietary inclusion levels of ginger supplemented to broiler feed digestion and stimulates enzymes thus enhancing feed
feed is presented in Table 2. Statistical analysis of data on conversion ratio which lead to an increase body weight
feed intake revealed significant differences between gain as th researchers noticed in during this study.
treatment groups with treatment 4 (T4) having the highest Onimisi et al., (2005) and Ademola et al., (2009) also
total feed intake of 4,270g/bird and treatment 1, T1 observed that ginger increased body weight when up to 2%
(control) having the lowest total feed intake of level where included in broiler diet, Garcia et al., (2007)
4,070g/bird. Treatment 2 (T2) had a total feed intake of and Al-Homidan (2005) also found an increase in weight
4,175g/bird while treatment 3 (T3) had a total feed intake gain of broiler when fed 2% and 6% ginger. This
of 4,196/per bird. observation however, contradicts the reports of Omage et
al., (2007), Ademola et al (2004) and Horton et al., (1991)
There were also significant differences between the body who reported that the inclusion of ginger did not improve
weights and weight gains of birds in the different the weight gain of broilers.
treatments. T4 had the highest final body weight of
2,350g/bird and an average body weight gain of Results showed that feed conversion ratio was
2,317g/bird while T1 (control) had the lowest final body significantly affected by ginger supplementation. Feed
weight of 1949.67g/bird and an average body weight gain conversion ratio in ginger diets were significantly higher
of 1916.67g/bird. T2 had a total body weight of in ginger diets thereby indicating better feed conversion
2074.67g/bird and an average body weight gain of efficiency. This could be attributed to the accumulation of
2041.67g/bird while T3 had a body weight of 2,195g/bird the active ingredients in ginger which gives rise to the
and an average body weight gain of 2162g/bird. formation of more stable intestinal flora and improved
feed conversion efficiency as a consequence of better
Result also shows a significantly lower (p<0.05) feed digestion (Tekeli, 2007). These results agree with the work
conversion ratio with broiler fed ginger meal when of Moorthy et al., (2009) and Onimisi et al., (2005) who
compared with those in the control treatment; this implies reported significantly better feed conversion ratio in ginger
that there was a significant difference in feed conversion fed groups of broilers compared to control. Authors such
ratio between the different treatment groups. The mortality as Herawati (2006); Tollba (2003); Herawati (2010);
recorded in treatment 1, 2, 3 and 4 were; 1%, 2%, 1% and Moorthy et al., (2009) and Onimisi et al., (2005) also
2% respectively. Results showed that feed intake was illustrated that birds fed with diets containing ginger up to
significantly influenced by the dietary treatment. Feed 2% recorded better feed conversion ratio than birds fed
intake was higher in diets containing ginger. This result is with un-supplemented diets, this finding was however
similar to the work of Ademola et al., (2009) who reported contrary to Ademola et al., (2004) who observed no
higher feed intake of broilers on diet supplemented with significance when supplementing ginger in broilers ration
ginger. The results were however at variance with the and Wafaa et al., (2012) who also reported no significant
report of Herawati, (2010) who stated that broilers fed 2% difference among birds fed on 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% ginger
dried supplementary ginger meal had significantly lower powder on feed conversion ratio.
feed intake than those on the control diet. High feed
intake of birds placed on ginger diets could be attributed to 4. Conclusion
the property of ginger as an appetizer and its components
which enhance the activities of gut micro flora, Ademola It is evidence that ginger meal as feed additive in the diets
et al., (2009). Appetite increase invariably increases feed of broiler birds enhanced growth performance
intake and the higher the level of ginger contained in the characteristics of broiler chicks. The results suggest that
Volume 4 Issue 3, March 2015
www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: 02014697 806
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438
ginger can be included at these levels in broiler starter and and Blood Metabolites of Male Broilers. Research
finisher diets without adversely affecting their Opinions in Animal & Veterinary Sciences 2: 69-71.
performance; however greater performance is attained at [16] Moorthy, M., Ravi, S., Ravikumar, M., Viswanathan,
the level of 6g of ginger/kg of feed. K. and Edwin, S.C. (2009) Ginger, Pepper and Curry
Leaf Powder as Feed Additives in Broiler Diet.
References International Journal of Poultry Science 8:779-782.
[17] Oluyemi, J.F. and Robert, F.A (2007), Poultry
[1] Al-Homidan, A.A. (2005) Efficacy of using Different Production in the Warm Wet Climate, 2nd Edition,
Sources and Levels of Allium Sativum and Zingiber Golden Wallet Press, Ibadan, 2.
officinale on Broiler Chicks Performance. Saudi [18] Omage J. J., Onimisi P. A., Adegbite E. K., and
Journal of Biological Sciences 12: 96–102. Agunbiade M. O. (2007) : The Effect Of Ginger
[2] Conley, M., (1997). Ginger-Part Ii. Available At: (ZingiberOfficinaleRoscoe) Waste Meal On Growth
Http://www.Accessnewage.Com/Articles/Health/Ging Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Serum Lipid
er2.Htm. DiaksesPada 19 Juli, 2005. And Serum Cholesterol Profiles Of Rabbit. Pakistan
[3] Contreras-Castillo, C.J., C. Brossi, T.C. Previero and Journal of Nutrition, 6, 4, 359-362.
L.C. Dematte, (2008). Performance and Carcass [19] Onimisi, P.A., I.I. Dafwang and J.J. Omaga, (2005).
Quality of Broilers Supplemented with Antibiotics or Growth Performance And Water Consumption Pattern
Probiotics. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 10: Of Broiler Chicks Fed Graded Levels of Ginger Waste
227-232. Meal. Agricultural Journal for Social Sciences., 3:
[4] Cullen, S.P., F.J. Monahan, J.J Callan and J.V,O. 113-119.
Doherty, (2005). The Effect of Dietary Garlic and [20] Owen O.J and Amakiri (2011). Serological and
Rosemary on Grower-Finisher Pi Performance and Haematological Profile of Bitter Leaf (V. Amgdalina)
Sensory Characteristics of Pigs. Irish Journal of Meal. Advances in Agriculture Biotechnology, 1:77-
Agriculture. Food Res., 44: 57-67. 81.
[5] Diarra, S.S., Kwari, I.D., Girigigi, Y.A., Saleh, B. and [21] Reeds P. J., Burrin D. G., Davis T. A. Fiorotto M. L.
Igwebuike, J.U. (2011) The use of Sorrel (Hibiscuss (1993). Post-Natal Growth of Gut and Muscle:
Sabdariffa) Seed as a Feed Ingredient for Poultry: A Competitors or Collaborators. Proceedings of the
Review. Research Opinions in Animal & Veterinary Nutrition Society, 52, 57-67.
Sciences 1: 573-577. [22] Shi X. H., Li S.Z., Liu Z. P., Shi X. H., Li S. Z. and
[6] Duncan, D.B (1955) Multiple Range and Multiple F Liu Z. P. (1999): A Trial on the use of Garlic as Feed
Test. Biometrics 11:77-81. Additive for Meat Chickens. Poultry Husbandry and
[7] Garcia, V., P. Catala-Gregori, F. Hernandez, M.D. Disease Control, 10, 19-30.
Megias and J. Marid, 2007. Effect of Formic Acid and [23] Tekeli, A., Kutlu, H.R. and Celik, L. (2011) Effect of
Plant Extracts on Growth, Nutrient Digestibility, Zingiber. Offincinale and Propalis Extracts on the
Intestine Mucosa Morphology and Meat Yield of Performance, Carcass and Some Blood Parameters of
Broilers. Journal Applied Poultry Research, 16: 555- Broiler Chicks. Current Research in Poultry Science
562. 1:12-23.
[8] Herawati (2010) The Effect of Feeding Red Ginger as [24] Tollba, A.A., (2003). Using Some Natural Additives
Phytobiotics on Body Weight Gain, Feed Conversion to Improve Physiological and Productive Performance
and Internal Organs Condition of Broiler. of Broiler Chicks Under High Temperature
International Journal of Poultry Science 9 (10): 963- Conditions. 1--Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris L.)Or Fennel
967. (FoeniculumVulgareL.). Egypt. Poultry Science
[9] Horton G. M. J., Blethen, D. B., Prasad, B. M. (1991): Journal, 23: 313-326.
The Effect of Garlic (Allium Sativum) on Feed [25] Wafaa B. Z, Khadiga A.A, Bakheit M.D, Ahmed G.M
Palatability of Horses and Feed Consumption, (2012). The Effect of Ginger Root Powder
Selected Performance and Blood Parameters in Sheep (ZingiberOfficinale) Supplementation on Broiler
and Swine. Canada Journal of Animal Science, 71, Chicks Performance, Blood and Serum Constituents.
607-610. Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research. V. 1(6):
[10] Joke, S. and Susan, A. (2007). Beverage of 457-460.
Champaign (Http//Tune-Blog.Com).
[11] Kehinde, A. S., Obun C. O., Inuwa, M. and
Bobadoye, O. Forestry Research Institute of
[12] Nigeria, Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State. Department of
Animal Production Technology,
[13] Federal College of Wildlife Management, Pmb 268,
New Bussa, Niger State,
[14] Nigeria. Animal Research International (2011) 8(2):
1398 – 1404.
[15] Manesh, M.K. (2012) Influence of Poly Germander
(Teucrium Polium) and Watercress (Nasturtium
Officinale) Extract on Performance, Carcass Quality

Volume 4 Issue 3, March 2015

www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: 02014697 807
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438
Table1: Ingredient composition and calculated analysis of Broiler Diets

Ingredient T1 T2 T3 T4 T1 T2 T3 T4
Broiler Starter Broiler Finisher
Maize 48.00 48.00 48.00 48.00 57.00 57.00 57.00 57.00
Soya bean meal 24.00 24.00 24.00 24.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00
Ground nut cake 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00
Fish meal 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Wheat bran 10.00 9.95 9.90 9.85 10.00 9.95 9.90 9.85
Oyster shell 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bone meal 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Methionine 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Lysine 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Vitamin/mineral
0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
premix
Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Ginger 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0 0.05 0.10 0.15
Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Calculated
Analysis
Crude Protein 23.41 23.44 23.46 23.48 20.25 20.28 20.30 20.32
ME (Kcal/kg) 2722.04 2722.85 2723.66 2724.47 2813.12 2813.93 2814.74 2815.55
Crude Fibre (%) 4.49 4.50 4.50 4.49 4.27 4.27 4.28 4.28
Lysine (%) 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.16 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.95
Methionine (%) 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.43 0.37 0.37 0.37 0.37
Calcium (%) 1.45 1.46 1.46 1.46 1.43 1.43 1.44 1.44

Table 2: The effect of treatment (Ginger) on the production parameters of broiler birds

T1 (0g of ginger/kg T2 (2g of ginger/kg T3 (4g ginger/kg T4 (6g ginger/kg

Production Parameters
feed) feed) feed) feed)
Initial Body Weight (g/bird) 33.00 33.00 33.00 33.00
final Body Weight (g/bird) 1,949.67 ± 5.49𝑑 2,074.67 ± 1.45𝑐 2,195.00 ± 1.53𝑏 2,350.00 ± 4.04𝑎
Total Body Weight Gain(g/bird) 1,916.67 ± 5.48𝑑 2,041.67 ± 1.45𝑐 2,162.00 ± 1.52𝑏 2,317.00 ± 4.04𝑎
Ave. weekly Body Weight Gain
239.58 ± 0.68𝑑 255.21 ± 0.18𝑐 270.25 ± 0.19𝑏 289.62 ± 0.50𝑎
(g/bird)
Total Feed Intake (g/bird) 4070.00 ± 3.22𝑑 4175.00 ± 2.89𝑐 4196.00± 4.58𝑏 4270.00±2.00𝑎
Ave. Weekly feed intake (g/bird) 508.75 ± 0.40𝑑 521.88 ± 0.36𝑐 524.50 ± 0.57𝑏 533.75 ± 0.25𝑎
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) 2.12 2.04 1.94 1.84
a, b, c: Means in the same column with different superscripts are significantly(P value<0.05) different

Volume 4 Issue 3, March 2015

www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: 02014697 808
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
View publication stats