
This study investigated the effect of diets containing ginger root meal (GRM) supplemented with and without organic acid (OA) on growth performance and nutrients digestibility of broiler chicks. A total of two hundred and fifty-two (252) day old broiler chicks in a 4 - week feeding trial were allocated to seven dietary treatments replicated three times with 12 birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. The diets formulated included T1 (0 % GRM and OA) which served as control and other diets 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively which contained GRM at 15g (T2), 30g (T3) and 45g (T4) with and without OA supplementation. Feed and water were given ad libitum. Results showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in final weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of birds across all the treatment groups. However, total feed intake and daily feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed the control diet (988.23g, 35.39g) but were similar to those fed GRM based diets T2, T3and T4 without OA when compared to those supplemented diets. Higher dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre digestibility were observed in birds fed diets without OA compared to the group supplemented with OA. Ether extract and ash digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) lower in diets T3 and T4 without OA compared to those in other treatment groups. However, NFE digestibility was statistically (P>0.05) similar in birds fed un-supplemented diets T1, T2 and T3 as well as T6 supplemented with OA. However, diets T4, T5 and T7, respectively had the least values; (71.29, 70.97 and 69.31%), respectively. It was therefore concluded that diets containing GRM without organic acid improved performance and nutrients digestibility of broiler chickens without any threat to their health status.
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