Effect of supplementing different levels of okra seed (abelmoschus esculentus l.)‎ powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters and gut microbial populations in broiler chickens

Abstract EN

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of okra(Abelmoschus esculentus L.

) seed powder (OSP) in diets on performance, carcasscharacteristics, some blood parameters, and gut microbial populations in broiler chickens.

For the present experiment, 216 day old chicks were randomly divided into four groups, each group consisting three replicates of 18 chicks in a completely randomized design.

Fourdiets were formulated with diet 1 as the basal diet (control), while 2, 3, and 4 weresupplemented with OSP at 1, 2 and 4 % , respectively.

The results revealed that the highestfinal live body weight, accumulative weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio wasachieved in birds fed with 1 or 2 % of OSP.

Feed intake and carcass characteristics weresimilar among groups.

The highest relative weight of the spleen and cecum was observed inthe control group, while the lowest value was observed in birds fed with 4% and 2% OSP, respectively.

The longest length of the gastrointestinal tract was seen in 2% OSP comparedto other groups.

Serum cholesterol and ALT activity were decreased as compared to controldiets.

The group fed with 2 % OSP showed higher albumin levels compared to those fedwith 1% of OSP.

The population of total bacteria and Escherichia coli in jejunum digesta ofOSP supplemented broiler chickens was reduced, meanwhile, there was an increased inlactic acid bacteria counts as compared to control.

Therefore, 1 and 2 % okra seed powderin the diet of broiler chickens was able to improve the growth performance