Effect of Different Natural Feed additives Compared to Antibiotic on Performance of Broiler Chicks under High Temperature

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding natural spices as growth promoters compared to antibiotic for broilers under high environmental temperature. Two hundred and forty day old chick (Cobb strain) was divided into six groups A, B, C, D, E, F in complete randomized design. A control group received broilers basal diet. For the other groups, the basal diet was supplemented with the antibiotic (Doxystin) at 0.5% in group B, cumin (Cuminum cyminum) at 2% in group C, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) at 2% in group D, ginger Z. officinale at 2% in group E and cinnamon, C verum at 2% for the last group F. Growth performance traits and carcass characteristic were studied. There were significant differences among treatment groups for body weight gain in the first (growing) period. Group A showed the highest result (737.2g) while group F reported the lowest estimate (627.4 g). Group C and E on one side and group B, C and D were not significantly different for the trait. In the second (finisher) period weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group D (720.13g) compared with group B , A and F which reported low weight gain (528.4 -596.5 g). In the first period feed intake was significantly (P 0.05) high in group D, C and B while group E reported the lowest feed intake. In the second period the highest feed intake was reported by group D, and the lowest estimates were recorded by group E and C. Better feed conversion ratio in group E followed by D, C, and F. High dressing percentage recorded in group fed E and F with no difference from B group. Low abdominal fat in the group fed D, B. It is concluded that different spices used did not affect weight gain in the first period, but they exert different effects in the second period. Their effects on feed intake are dissimilar.