Saffron petals (Crocus sativus L.) enhance productive performance and carcass quality in broiler birds by improving their immunity, antioxidant status and biochemical profile

The effect of Saffron petals (agricultural by-product) on health and production performance was investigated in broiler chicken. In this experiment, 140-day-old chicks were randomly distributed in five groups each having four replicates of seven chicks. The birds of control group (T0) were offered basal diet without feed additives whereas, birds of treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 were given a basal diet supplemented with ground saffron petals (SP) as feed additive at an inclusion level of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/kg feed on dry matter basis. The overall temperature and humidity of the experimental shed were 23.43 degrees C & 55.19% during the day and 23.17 degrees C & 56.01% during the night. The SP as feed additive contained 83% dry matter, 11.94% crude protein, 5.03% ether extract and 7.85% crude fiber. The feed intake during the experiment was not affected, however total body weight gain was significantly (p <= 0.05) higher in T3 and T4 as compared to control (T0) with better FER. The SP in the diet improved nutrient digestibility with better economical returns. The study revealed a non-significant change in the overall haematological parameters viz. Hb, PCV, RBC and WBC The plasma glucose increased proportionately with the inclusion level of petals, being significantly (p <= 0.05) higher in T2, T3 and T4. The immune parameters reflected a significant (p <= 0.05) increase in HI titre at days 21 and 28 in different SP supplemented groups. The response to DNCB (mm) was highest in the birds of T3 group. The SP feeding leads to an increase in the weight of immune organs, significantly (p <= 0.05) in Spleen. Similarly, the biochemical parameters indicated an improved lipid profile with cholesterol and triglycerides decreasing significantly (p <= 0.05) in the T4 group. The total oxidant status and total antioxidant status showed a significant (p <= 0.05) improvement and revealed figures of 6.30 +/- 0.12 mu mol H2O2 Eq/L and 1.46 +/- 0.03 mu mol Trolox Eq/L, respectively in T4 group. Likewise, T-BARS in breast and thigh showed a significant (p <= 0.05) decline as the SP level increased in ration. Significantly (p <= 0.05) improvement dressing percentage was recorded in T3 and T4 treatments as compared to control (T0). The Cutability (%) of Breast, Back, Drumstick, Thighs, Wings, Neck and total Giblet did not differ significantly among treatments as compared to the control. The production cost per kg live weight was least in T4 group and highest in control (T0). The results of this study indicate superior immunity, health, carcass quality and production performance in saffron petal supplemented birds. Hence, its use as a feed additive at 2 g/kg in poultry diets is a viable proposition to improve poultry production performance.