European Journal of Zoological Research
Abstract
Author(s): Aghil Shahverdi, Farshid Kheiri, Mostafa Faghani, Yaser Rahimian and Ali Rafiee
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of use of red pepper, black pepper and their mixture powder
on performance of broiler chicks. 320 one day old Ross 308 chicks were used in this study. Chicks were fed by basal
diet as control, 0.02% red pepper (T1), 0.02% black pepper (T2) and 0.01% red pepper + 0.01 %black pepper
powders (T3). Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio were determined. At the end of trial 4 chicks
form each group were separated and slaughtered. Cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose levels and antibody titer against
new castle vaccine were investigated. The result revealed that the inclusion of red and black pepper in broilers diet
improved body weight gain, feed intake and conversion ratio. in addition use of red and black pepper depressed the
cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentration and decreased H/L ratio concentration in broiler's blood plasma
(p<0.05).mucosa and sub mucosa diameters of small intestine were significantly increased (p<0.05).musclaris and
serosa diameters were higher in T1, and T3than control groups. Data from this study showed use of red and black
pepper powder on broilers diets cause increase total diameter of small intestine parts (p<0.05).It was concluded
that the use of red and black pepper as feed additive at 1% enhanced the overall performance of broiler chicks.
