ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of Echinacea purpurea and Nigella sativa
supplementation on broiler performance, carcass
and meat quality
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Department of Poultry Science (470C), University of Hohenheim,
D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany
Publication date: 2010-01-29
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2010;19(1):93-103
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Present experiment was performed to study the effects of Echinacea purpurea (EP) and Nigella
sativa (NS) on broiler performance, carcass and meat quality. Four treatment combinations were
prepared: C - control group without any feed or water additive; E - drinking water intermittently
supplemented with fermented juice of EP; N - feed supplemented with grounded seeds of NS, and
EN - drinking water intermittently supplemented with EP and feed supplemented with NS. No
significant treatment effect was observed on weight gain, average daily weight gain, feed conversion
ratio and abdominal fat percentage. Carcass yield in C and N groups was significantly (P<0.05)
higher than in E. Significantly (P<0.05) higher breast percentage in group N was observed. Crude
protein contents were significantly (P<0.05) higher in meat samples of C and EN groups. Grill losses
were significantly (P<0.05) lower in E and cooking losses were significantly (P<0.05) higher in N
treated birds. No significant treatment effect was observed on meat colour, electrical conductivity
and shear force value.
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