Effect of seed powder of a herbal legume fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L.) on growth performance, body components, digestive parts, and blood parameters of broiler chicks

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary Trigonella foenum graceum L. seed powder (TFGSP) on growth performance, blood glucose, protein and lipid profile of broilers (Ross-308). One hundred ninety two, I-d old mixed sex broiler chicks were allocated to 5 dietary treatments in which 0, 5, 10, 20 and 4(1g TFGSP doses per kg, commercial broiler diet were added far a period of 42 days. The results showed that body weight and the breast weight decreased after TFGSP treatment compared to control (P less than 0.05). Feed intake decreased after 5 g, TFGSP treatment while 40 g TFGSP treatment decreased feed efficiency and leg, weight compared to control (P less than 0.01). There was no significant difference in weights of digestive system parts, except duodenum weight and lipid oxidation between control and treatment groups. A 20 g TFGSP treatment enhanced blood glucose level (P less than 0.01) but decreased triglyceride level (P less than 0.01) compared to control. At 40 g TFGSP the blood' cholesterol decreased (P less than 0.05) but LDL level increased compared to control (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, TFGSP addition to broiler diet decreased appetite and, consequently, reduced growth performance, more likely, attributing to the enhanced blood glucose level.