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, 1-d old mixed sex broiler chicks were allocated to 5 dietary treatments in which 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 g TFGSP doses per kg commercial broiler diet were added for a period of 42 days. The results showed that body weight and the breast weight decreased after TFGSP treatment compared to control (P<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<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<0.01), but decreased triglyceride level (P<0.01) compared to control. At 40 g TFGSP the blood cholesterol decreased (P<0.05) but LDL level increased compared to control (P<0.01). In conclusion, TFGSP addition to broiler diet decreased appetite and, consequently, reduced growth performance, more likely, attributting to the enhanced blood glucose level.