Efficiency of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Powder on Performance, Body Temperature and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens in Heat Stress Condition

This experiment was carried out to evaluate different levels of peppermint (Mentha piperita) plant powder usage on feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), body temperature, carcass parts (breast and thigh) and internal organs (liver, heart, gizzard) weights in broiler chicken. A total of 192 broiler chicken were randomly divided into 4 experimental treatments with 4 replicates (12 birds per replicate) arranged in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets consisted of: (1) basal diet (control); (2) basal diet + 1% peppermint powder; (3) basal diet + 2% peppermint powder and (4) basal diet + 300 mg of vitamin E per kilogram. Heat stress performed by setting room temperature on 34 ˚C for 8 hours/day from 35 to 42 days of age. Results showed peppermint powder supplement in all levels significantly affected the FCR at 21 days of age and BW at 42 days of age (P