Effect of dietary supplementation of fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) powder on growth performance of commercial broiler chicken

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary Fennel Seed Powder (FSP) supplementation on the growth performance of commercial broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 144-day-old Cobb 400 chicks were randomly allocated into four treatment groups: T0 (control, 0.00% FSP), T1 (0.25% FSP), T2 (0.50% FSP) and T3 (0.75% FSP). Each group had 36 birds divided into three replicates of 12. Birds were fed a basal diet with respective levels of FSP throughout the study. Results: T3 birds showed significantly higher feed intake during the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th weeks, with the highest total feed consumption (3206.97g). Weekly body weight and weight gain were significantly higher (P<0.01) in T2 and T3, particularly during the 6th week. T3 recorded the best FCR (1.66), highest BPEI (126.50) and gross profit per bird (Rs. 30.00), reflecting a 27.52% increase over the control due to improved growth and feed efficiency.