ABSTRACT
Growth promoters are widely used in poultry farming. However, this practice is a potential risk of microbial resistances and eventually can have harmful effects on human health. For that, the search of alternative solutions knows an increasing interest. The spices, owing to their multiple properties, are potentials growth promoters for poultry. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of Capsicum frutescens supplementation on growth performances, hematological and biochemical parameters and on the carcass of broilers. A total of 200 (Hubbard) day old chicks with an initial average weight of 49.63±3.74 g were used in this study. They were randomly divided into 5 different groups (P0; P5; P5’; P10 and P10’) with 4 repetitions. P0 (control group which received basal diet); P5 (basal diet plus pepper at 0.5% for one month); P5' (basal diet plus pepper at 0.5% pepper for 2 months) P10 (basal diet plus pepper at 1% for one month) and P10' (basal diet plus 1% pepper for 2 months). The experiments lasted 56 days. Apparent digestibility of dry matter varied from 73.5 ± 1.28% to 74.95 ± 1.28% but not significantly different (p>0.05). Feed consumption, the final body weight average and the feed conversion ratio were similar for all groups. The blood glucose level was reduced by the pepper supplementation (p<0,001). It was higher for P0 (2.58±0.02 mmol/l). Creatinin, cholesterol level and the hematological parameters, except leucocytes number, were not modified (p>0.05). In conclusion, although the chickens did not reject food supplemented with Capsicum frutescens powder, it’s effects were not perceptible on growth performances. However, the lowering effect of this spice on blood glucose level was proved in this study.