Tiwari, D.P.Sharma, Vandana2019-09-162019-09-162019-08http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810128447A feeding trial was conducted to discern the effect of dietary incorporation of black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed and ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome powder in varying proportions on growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass traits, haemato-biochemical parameters, sensory evaluation of meat and economics of commercial broiler chickens production. A total of 120, day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into 4 treatment groups with 3 replicates each i.e. 10 broiler chicks per replicate. Chicks of treatment T1 (control) were fed basal diet (starter and finisher), whereas in treatment groups T2, T3 and T4, basal diet was incorporated with 0.25% black cumin seed + 0.75% ginger rhizome powder, 0.50% black cumin seed + 0.50% ginger rhizome powder, 0.75 % black cumin seed + 0.25% ginger rhizome powder, respectively, as feed additive. The feeding trial lasted for 42 days viz., 0-21 days (starter phase) and 21-42 days (finisher phase). A metabolism trial was conducted during the 6th week of feeding trial to know the nutrient utilization. On the 42nd day of the feeding trial two birds from each treatment were slaughtered and samples of breast and thigh muscle were collected for sensory and proximate analysis. Blood samples were also collected on the same day for haemato-biochemical parameters. During the starter phase (0-21 days), maximum weight gain was recorded in broiler chicks of treatment group T4 fed diet incorporated with 0.75 % black cumin seed + 0.25% ginger rhizome powder and significantly higher than T1 followed by treatment groups T2 and T3. Performance index was significantly higher in treatment group T4 followed by T2, T3 and T1, respectively. During finisher phase (21-42 days), average body weight gain differ significantly among different groups. Maximum weight gain was recorded in broiler chicks of treatment group T1 fed with control diet, followed by treatment groups T2, T3 and T4. The average cumulative weight gain was 1463.30g, 1470.00g, 1412.20g, 1389.70g in broiler chicks of treatment group T1, T2, T3, T4, respectively and did not differ significantly. There was no improved growth performance in terms of body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index due to dietary incorporation of black cumin seed and ginger rhizome powder. Incorporation of black cumin seed and ginger rhizome powder in the diet of broiler chickens did not affect nutrient utilization in terms of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract and crude protein metabolizability. The various carcass traits in broiler chicks were not affected due to dietary incorporation of combination of black cumin seed and ginger rhizome powder. There was significant differences in protein and ether extract content of thigh muscles, whereas these parameters were statistically similar in breast muscles. There was significant increase in protein content and decrease in ether extract contents of thigh muscles. Maximum crude protein content was found in treatment group T4, followed by treatment groups T3,T2 and T1, respectively. Minimum ether extract content was found in treatment group T2 and maximum in control group. All the values of hematological parameters were in normal range in broiler chicks of different treatment groups, without any significant effect. There was significant (P<0.05) reduction in serum cholesterol, triglycerides content and increase in serum total protein and albumin was observed for treatment group T4 fed on diet incorporated with 0.75% black cumin + 0.25% ginger rhizome powder, as compared to control group T1. Serum cholestrol was found minimum in treatment group T4(118.7 mg/dl) as compared to control group T1(136.73 mg/dl). Serum triglyceride content was also found minimum in treatment group T4 (51.29 mg/dl) as compared to control group T1 (60.20 mg/dl). Maximum serum total protein concentration was found in treatment group T4, followed by T3,T1 and T2, respectively. Maximum serum albumin concentration was found in group T4, followed by T3,T2 and T1, respectively. Serum globulin, glucose concentrations as well as serum ALP, ALT and AST activities was not affected due to dietary incorporation of black cumin seed and ginger rhizome powder. Sensory evaluation attributes were not significant among the different treatment groups. From the feeding trial, it is not economically viable to invest in different treatment diets, as compared to control diet. It is concluded that incorporation of combination of 0.75 % black cumin seed + 0.25% ginger rhizome powder in the diet of broiler chicks reduces serum cholesterol, triglycerides content and increase in serum total protein and albumin coupled with reduction in fat and increase in protein content of thigh muscles could be exploited for designer meat production.ennullThesis