Effects of Dietary Turmeric Powder Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility and Haemato-biochemical Parameters in Konkan Kanyal Goats
Akash Vishwanath Karhale *
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India.
N. N. Prasade
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India.
S. G. Shirsat
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India.
M. G. Gonge
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India.
N. T. Iwanate
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder supplementation on nutrient digestibility, feed utilization and haemato-biochemical parameters in Konkan Kanyal kids. Twenty weaned kids were randomly divided into five treatment groups: T₁ (control, no turmeric), T₂ (3 g/day), T₃ (6 g/day), T₄ (9 g/day) and T₅ (12 g/day). Nutrient digestibility improved progressively with increasing turmeric levels, with dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract and ash digestibility rising from 81.37%, 74.17%, 77.51%, 77.58%, 61.02% and 71.22% in T₁ to 84.96%, 78.74%, 80.67%, 81.85%, 64.13% and 77.23% in T₅, respectively. Feed conversion efficiency was highest in T₄ (FCR: 9.68), indicating efficient nutrient utilization. Haemato-biochemical observations revealed improved haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell counts, along with a dose-dependent reduction in serum cholesterol, with the most pronounced effects observed in T5 (12 g turmeric powder supplementation), without any adverse impact on immune status. Overall, turmeric supplementation enhanced digestibility, feed efficiency and metabolic health, confirming its potential as a safe phytogenic feed additive in goats.
Keywords: Phytogenic feed additive, digestibility, serum biochemistry, curcumin, metabolic profile, goat nutrition, indigenous