ABSTRACT
A total of 480 1-week-old chicks of about similar average weight, and size were divided into 6 groups. One group served as control, and was fed only basal diet, second group was fed ginger at the rate of 5 g/kg (T1), third group was given organic selenium (Se) at the rate of, 0.3 mg/kg diet (T2), fourth group was given organic Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg (T3), fifth group was fed with organic Se at the rate of 0.3 mg/kg + 5 g/kg ginger (T4), sixth group was given organic Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg + 5 g/kg ginger (T5). Mean feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T3 and T5 while body weight was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T3 compared to the control. Mean feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T2, T3 and T5 compared to the control. Dressing percentage was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T4 and T5 compared to the control. Serum Antibody titre against Newcastle disease and paraoxonase (PON1) were significantly (P < 0.05) high in the T4 and T5 groups compared to the control while melanodialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) low in the same groups. Results of this study showed that ginger at the rate of 5 g/kg and Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg were more effective in improving the growth performance, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chickens exposed to high ambient temperature.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.