Effect of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Juice Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Haemato-biochemical Profile of Broiler Chickens
D. J. Raval
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and A.H., Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, Gujarat, India.
S. S. Patil
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and A.H., Kamdhenu University, Navsari- 396450, Gujarat, India.
M. M. Pawar *
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and A.H., Kamdhenu University, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, India.
K. J. Ankuya
Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and A.H., Kamdhenu University, Himmatnagar- 383010, Gujarat, India.
S. K. Mohapatra
Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Science and A.H., Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, Gujarat, India.
C. P. Modi
Pashu Vigyan Kendra (Thara), Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, Gujarat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of beetroot juice supplementation on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and haemato-biochemical profile of broiler chickens. One hundred and ninety-two (192) day-old broiler chicks (Vencobb-430Y) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments, with 48 birds per treatment and four replicates of 12 chicks each. The dietary treatments were T1: basal diet (as per Bureau of Indian Standards, 1992), T2: basal diet + 0.25 ml of beetroot juice in water/bird/day, T3: basal diet + 0.5 ml of beetroot juice in water/bird/day and T4: basal diet + 1.0 ml of beetroot juice in water/bird/day. The parameters studied were body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics, haemato-biochemical profile and return over feed cost. The final body weight, overall body weight gain and total feed intake did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups. The overall FCR values were 1.72, 1.69, 1.63 and 1.61 in the T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively, indicating a numerical (P > 0.05) improvement in feed conversion efficiency with increasing levels of beetroot juice in drinking water. No significant (P > 0.05) effects were observed on dressing weight, dressing percentage or the weights of the liver, heart, gizzard, kidney and spleen. Serum glucose levels differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the treatment groups, with birds in the T4 group having the lowest glucose concentration. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, SGPT and SGOT were not influenced (P > 0.05) by beetroot juice supplementation. Compared with the T1 group (control), the return over feed cost was 10.56%, 35.57% and 47.17% higher in the T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. Based on the results of this study, beetroot juice supplementation in the drinking water of broiler chickens did not affect final body weight or body weight gain; however, it numerically improved feed conversion efficiency and return over feed cost. Beetroot juice supplementation significantly lowered the serum glucose level and did not affect the carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.
Keywords: Beetroot juice, Beta vulgaris, broiler chickens, growth performance, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics, haemato-biochemical profile, serum glucose, return over feed cost, phytogenic supplementation