Use of tomato pomace as antioxidant on growth performance of broilers under stress condition

Abstract

A total of 360 broiler chicks (Cobb-500), reared in evaporative cooling house under 2 stocking densities of 10 and 15 birds/m2 were used in 2x4 Factorial in Complete Randomized Design. In each stocking density, 180 chicks were randomly allotted into 4 dietary groups (3 replicates of each); control diet (without tomato pomace) and control diet mixed with either10, 15 or 20% of dry tomato pomace. The experiment was conducted during 4-6 week of chicken age. At week 6, chicken fed with 20% of dry tomato pomace had significantly higher body weight gain and ADG than those fed with control diet (1273.9 vs 1150.5 grams and 90.99 vs 82.18 grams per day, P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in their FCR (P>0.05). Chickens fed with either 10 or 15 % of dry tomato pomace had lower heterophil / lymphocyte (H/L ratio) compared to the control group (0.9 and 1.0 vs 1.5, respectively, P<0.05). This suggested that dry tomato pomace can reduce stress response of chickens. The level of catalase and superoxide dismutase were similar in the chickens of both stocking densities. However, chickens fed with 20 % of tomato pomace had significantly higher level of catalase than those fed with the control diet (P<0.05), indicating a greater decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the body. It is concluded that dry tomato pomace had potential of reducing the detrimental effect of stress induced and could improve the growth performance of broilers raised under stress condition.