Effect of supplementation of black pepper (Piper nigrum l.) powder on the performance of broiler chicks

The effect of feeding different levels of supplemented black pepper on the performance of broiler chicks was studied. A total of one hundred and sixty, day old broiler chicks (Ven-Cobb-400) were randomly divided into four dietary treatments groups. Each treatment was further divided into five replicates at the rate of eight chicks per pen in complete randomized design. The chicks were fed on two basal diets (Starter and finisher). The black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) was added to the basal diets at @ (0.0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0%) resulting four dietary treatments (T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄), respectively. The results indicated that diet fed supplemented with (1%) black pepper (T₄) had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight gain, feed intake, better feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, cut up part (breast, drumstick and thigh) than those fed diet with lower levels of supplemented black pepper. The mortality rate was not affected significantly (P<0.05) by the addition of the black pepper powder in broiler diets. The broiler chicks fed @ of 1% black pepper was found economical as compared to the other supplemented levels of black pepper.