A. Zainali, A. Riasi, H. Kermanshahi, H. Farhangfar and H. Ziaie

(Journal of Animal Science Researches. 19.1(2): 53-66)

Abstract (The full text in Persian language)

This study investigated the effects of sodium selenite (Se) and turmeric powder (TP) supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 180 Ross * Ross broiler chickens (1 day old) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments (control, control + 5 g TP/kg, control + 10 g TP/kg, control + 0.3 mg Se/kg, control + 0.3 mg Se + 5 g TP/kg, and control + 0.3 mg Se + 10 g TP/kg), 3 replicates and 10 birds each. The birds were kept at 32-35°C (10.00 to 16.00; for 6 hours) from day 28 to day 42. Heat stress condition significantly (P<0.05) decreased the feed intake and weight gain of birds in control group compared with the other treatments. The diet supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg had the lowest feed conversion rate (FCR). Se and (or) turmeric powder had no effect on carcass yield (P>0.05). However, supplementation with 10 g TP/kg significantly (P<0.05) decreased abdominal fat. The plasma concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes were significantly (P<0.05) affected by Se in the diets. It was concluded that supplementation the broiler chicken diets with Se and TP is better for heat stress suppression.

Key words: Broiler chickens, Heat stress, Sodium selenium, Turmeric powder