Vol. 12, Issue 2 (2023)

Author(s):
Naorem Sushma Devi, VK Vidyarthi and Jongpongrenla Jamir

Abstract:
A total of 120 Cobb-400 strains of broilers were reared each in summer (S₁), monsoon (S₂) and winter (S₃) seasons by subjecting them to four dietary treatments with 30 birds each having five replications per treatment. The birds of control group 1(T₁) were offered standard broiler starter diet till 21 days and thereafter standard finisher diet up to 42 days. The birds of other groups were also offered the same diet as in T_{1 along} with black cumin seed powder supplementation at the rate of 1.0 (Group 2, T₂), 2.0 (Group 3, T₃) and 3.0 (Group 4, T₄) per cent of the diet. From the data, it was perused that the body weight, gain in weight and feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher during summer season followed by winter and the least in monsoon season; however, the feed conservation efficiency and performance index was better in winter season followed by monsoon and the least in summer season. The levels of black cumin supplementation had no effect on these parameters. The various seasons and different levels of black cumin supplementation had similar effect on carcass characteristics and liveability of the birds. The haematological and biochemical constituents of blood were positive effect in the treatment groups as compared to control group and were relatively better during summer season as compared to other seasons. Hence, it may be concluded that dietary supplementation of black cumin seed powder as herbal feed additive helps in the improvement of health condition of the birds and so it can be advocated to be added in diet of birds.