Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare) Powder on Carcass and Meat Quality of Commercial Broiler Chicken
Rija Saikia
*
Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, India.
Jogadev Mahanta
Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, India.
Dimpi Choudhury
Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, India.
Papori Talukdar
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, India.
Arijit Shome
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, India.
Anil Deka
Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of fennel seed powder (Foeniculum vulgare) on carcass quality traits, meat colour profile and sensory attributes of commercial broiler chickens as a natural alternative to synthetic growth promoters. A total of 144 day-old Cobb 400 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments: T0 (control), T1 (0.25% fennel seed powder), T2 (0.50%) and T3 (0.75%). The birds were reared for 42 days under standard management conditions. Carcass characteristics, organ weights and cut-up part yields were recorded, while meat colour parameters (L*, a*, b*) were measured using a colorimeter and sensory attributes were evaluated by a semi-trained panel. The results revealed that fennel seed powder supplementation significantly (p<0.05) improved pre-slaughter live weight, dressed weight and yields of breast, thigh and drumstick. A significant increase in redness (a*) values of breast meat was observed in treated groups, particularly in T3. Sensory evaluation indicated higher scores for flavour, colour, juiciness and texture in fennel-supplemented groups, with the highest overall acceptability recorded in T3. In conclusion, fennel seed powder can be effectively used as a natural, safe and cost-effective phytobiotic feed additive to enhance meat quality and consumer acceptability in broiler production.
Keywords: Fennel seed powder, broiler chicken, carcass quality, meat colour profile, organoleptic evaluation, phytobiotic feed additive