Growth Performance of Colored Broilers Given Ground Black Pepper as Feed Additive

Abstract

The study was conducted at Benguet State University, Experimental House, Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet from February 9, 2015 to March 4, 2015. Generally, the study was conducted to determine the growth performance of colored broilers given ground black pepper as feed additive. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the final weight, gain in weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and feed cost to produce a kilogram gain in weight. Following the completely randomized design (CRD), 160 colored broilers were randomly distributed into 4 treatments. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with ten birds per replicate making a total of 40 birds per treatment. The different treatments were T0 – 0g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds, T1 – 10g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds, T2 - 20g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds, and T3 – 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds. The birds were fed with chick booster from day 1- 15, starter ration from day 16 – 31 and finisher ration from day 32 – 60 which is the end of the study. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences in the initial weight between treatments. The overall mean initial weight of the birds was 0.042 kg at day old. On the other hand, highly significant differences were observed between treatments in terms of final weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and feed cost. Birds given 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds had the highest final weight of 1.775 kg. Followed by those given 20g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds, 10g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds, 0g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds with means of 1.710kg, 1.630kg, and 1.543 kg. Respectively. Birds given 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds had the highest gain in weight of 1.676kg. Also, birds given 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds obtained the highest average daily gain with a mean of 0.028 followed by 20, 10, 0g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds with means of 0.027, 0.026 and 0.025kg respectively. Birds given 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds consumed the lowest feed intake of 3.883 kg. On daily feed intake birds given 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds had the lowest daily feed intake with a mean of 0.065kg followed by birds given 20, 10 and 0g ground black pepper with means of 0.066kg, 0.066kg, and 0.067kg respectively. The results also show highly significant differences on the feed conversion ratio of the birds across the treatments. Birds given 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds had the best feed conversion ratio of 2.175, followed by birds given 20, 10, 0g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds with FCR’s of 2.301, 2.438, and 2.675 respectively. Lowest feed cost of PhP 72.212 was realized from the birds given 0g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds. Higher feed costs of PhP 72.823, PhP 74.857, and PhP 77.223 were also realized from birds given 10, 20 and 30g ground black pepper per kilogram of commercial feeds. Basing on the results of the study, it is therefore concluded that inclusion of ground black pepper as feed additive in the diet improves the final weight, total and average daily gain in weights, and feed conversion ratio of broilers. It is therefore suggested that ground black pepper can be utilized as feed additive at a level of 10g per kilogram of commercial feeds. It is further suggested that ground black pepper can be utilized as feed additive to broilers at the levels of 20g and 30g per kilogram of commercial feed provided that the price of ground black pepper is affordable.