ABSTRACT
This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding garlic powder (GP) on the performance, digestibility, digestive organs, carcass cuts and lipid profile of broilers. A total of 270 day-old Cobb-500 chicks were used in the experiment. Birds were partitioned into three experimental groups of 90 birds in each. Each treatment was composed of 6 replicates with 15 birds in each. The control group was fed with a commercial starter and finisher diet. The second and third groups were supplemented with GP at the rate of 0.2% and 0.4% respectively. In the last week of experiment, 18 birds from each experimental group (3 birds per replicate) were used in a metabolic trial. At the time of termination of the experiment, the same number of birds were killed for digestive organs and carcass components measurements. Blood samples from 3 birds per replicate were collected on 3rd, 5th and 6th week post feeding from wing vein for blood lipid profile determination. Total cholesterol (COL), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were determined. Results of this study showed that GP had no significant effects on broilers weight gain, feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass cuts, visceral organs. However, GP decreased (P < 0.05) COL, TG, LDL and increased HDL levels compared to control birds. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) digestibility were improved by feeding GP. It can be concluded that GP could provide positive advantages in broilers performance.