Abstract
The effects of effective microorganisms (EM), turmeric powder (TP), and their combination (EM-TP) on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, and economic benefit were studied in broilers fed a concentrate-based diet. A total of 192 chicks were assigned to four dietary treatments having CTL = control, EM = CTL+1 ml/lit effective microorganisms, TP = CTL+1%TP, EM-TP = CTL+0.5 ml/litEM+0.5%TP following a completely randomized design of 3 replications for each treatment. Concentrate was fed ad-libitum to all treatment groups. The feeding experiment lasted 42 days, 21 days for the starter and finisher phases each. The highest (P < 0.001) feed intake was observed when EM was fed as the sole additive and EM-TP during the starter period while the lowest (P > 0.05) value was for TP alone. There was no significant difference in feed intake during the finisher and the entire experimental period. The average daily gain for EM was higher (P < 0.05) than that of CTL and TP during the starter phase. However, during the finisher phase the average daily gain for EM-TP was greater (P < 0.05) than for TP and CTL. The greatest (P < 0.05) average daily gain was for EM-TP and EM during the entire period. The feed conversion ratio, performance index, mortality, and carcass characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. The highest (P < 0.05) abdominal fat was observed in the control group. The finding indicates that a greater net return was earned from EM-TP while a lower net return was observed for TP. In conclusion, supplementation of EM (1 ml/lit) and the combination (EM-TP) at 0.5% each are better in terms of average body weight gain, the net return, and in decreasing abdominal fat.