GROWTH RESPONSE AND GUT MICROBIAL COUNT OF BROILER CHICKEN FED DIET SUPPLEMENTED WITH BLACK PEPPER, TUMERIC AND THEIR COMBINATION

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with black pepper (Piper nigrum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and their combinations on growth response and gut microbial counts of broiler chickens. A total of [insert number] day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments: T1 (Control – basal diet without additives), T2 (basal diet + 1% black pepper powder), T3 (basal diet + 1% turmeric powder), T4 (basal diet + 0.5% black pepper + 0.5% turmeric), T5 (basal diet + 0.75% black pepper + 0.25% turmeric), and T6 (basal diet + 0.25% black pepper + 0.75% turmeric). Growth performance was assessed through body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Gut microbial analysis was carried out to determine the population of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus spp.) and pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.). The results revealed that dietary supplementation with black pepper and turmeric significantly improved body weight gain and feed efficiency compared to the control. Combination treatments, particularly T5 and T6, exhibited synergistic effects, leading to the highest growth performance and improved feed utilization. Gut microbial analysis showed a reduction in harmful bacterial populations, alongside an increase in beneficial Lactobacillus counts, with the combination groups producing the most favorable results. In conclusion, supplementation of broiler diets with black pepper and turmeric, especially in combined ratios, enhanced growth response and positively modulated gut microbial balance. These findings suggest that black pepper and turmeric can serve as natural alternatives to synthetic growth promoters for improved poultry production.