Administration of Jamu jahkenkun to Improve Productivity and Hematology Profiles of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the effects of administration of Jamu jahkenkun, a combination of ginger, curcuma and turmeric preparation, on productivity and hematological profile of broiler chickens. One hundred day-old chicks strain Cobb were divided into 4 groups of doses of Jamu jahkenkun administration (0.0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mL/L drinking water) each with 25 replications. Jamu jahkenkun was administered orally through drinking water. Administration of Jamu jahkenkun was started at the age of 8 days. Variables measured were growth performances including final body weight (BW), daily body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality and water intake and erythrogram and leukogram. The results showed that broiler chickens administered with Jamu jahkenkun at doses of 0.1 and 1.0 mL/L for 4 weeks could optimize feed conversion so that increased final BW and daily BWG. Administration of Jamu jahkenkun at doses of 0.1 and 1.0 mL/L tended to give higher carcass and abdominal fat weights as compared to control. The hemogram data showed that the experimental broiler chickens were in normal physiological conditions without any abnormality and physiological disturbance. The experimental broiler chickens had higher number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin concentrations as compared to control on days 14 of Jamu jahkenkun administration. It was concluded that Jamu jahkenkun administration at a dose of 1.0 mL/L increased growth performance with normal hematogram parameters.