Effect of dietary tomato powder on growth performance and blood characteristics of heat-stressed broiler chickens

This study investigated the ameliorative effect of dietary tomato powder (TP) on performance and blood characteristics of broilers under heat stress condition. A total of 240 (21 days old), unsexed Marshall broiler chicks were allotted to four dietary treatments having 6 replicates of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). The birds were exposed to ambient temperature of 33 degrees C between 8:00am and 5:00 pm and relative humidity of 81.5% for 2 h per day, throughout the 21-day feeding trial. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and polynomial contrast (linear (L) and quadratic (Q)) applied using IBM SPSS version 20. The experimental diets 1 (control), 2, 3, and 4 contained 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% TP, respectively. Results showed that live weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio increased (L.Q: P < 0.05) while mortality rate reduced (P < 0.05) following increasing dietary inclusion of TP. Birds fed diets containing 0, 2.5, and 5.0% TP had similar feed cost per weight gain which was lower (L: P < 0.001: Q: P < 0.05) than those of birds fed diet containing 7.5% TP. Most hematological parameters and serum enzymes measured were not affected (P> 0.05) by inclusion of TP. Birds fed diets containing 5.0 and 7.5% TP had similar serum cholesterol (L.Q: P < 0.05) and triglyceride (L:P < 0.001:.Q:P <0.05) concentration which is lower than those of control. It was concluded that tomato powder (especially at 5% inclusion) in the diet of heat-stressed broiler chickens is beneficial for improved growth, health, and production cost with no adverse effect.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of dietary tomato powder on performance and blood characteristics of broilers under heat stress condition. Results showed that the inclusion of tomato powder improved growth performance and feed efficiency, reduced mortality rate, and had no significant impact on most hematological parameters and serum enzymes. The optimal inclusion level was found to be 5% for improved growth, health, and production cost in heat-stressed broiler chickens.