ABSTRACT
This study investigated the interaction between polyphenols with different cereal sources and their effects on performance, serum biochemistry, corticosterone levels and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens reared under hot-humid environment. Newly hatched coloured broiler chicks (n = 240) were randomly divided into six groups with five replicates of two different cereal sources, namely corn and broken rice-sorghum combined, and three levels of pomegranate peel polyphenol extracts (PPP) 0, 50 and 100 mg/kg in each cereal groups. Birds were maintained under standard management conditions for six weeks during hot-humid environment (Temperature: 29-36 °C; Relative Humidity: 69-80%). Fortnight body weight and feed consumption were recorded and serum biochemical constituents were estimated at 28 and 42 days of age. The body weight gain was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in broken rice-sorghum diet than in corn diet. The supplementation of polyphenols increased the skin and shank pigmentation. Serum protein, lipids and minerals showed significant difference due to cereals, polyphenols and their interactions. Corn-fed birds had significantly higher visceral organs weight than the alternate grain-fed broilers. The serum corticosterone levels were significantly reduced in the PPP supplemented groups than the control, it could be concluded that, supplementation of 50 mg/kg polyphenol extract from pomegranate peels improved production performance in broilers fed broken rice-sorghum as cereal source under hot-humid conditions.
