Evaluating the effects of jaggery and Curcuma longa on stress tolerance, growth performance, and meat quality in Kadaknath poultry during winters

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of jaggery and Curcuma longa supplementation on winter stress tolerance, growth performance, and meat quality in Kadaknath poultry. Birds supplemented with Curcuma longa (T3) showed significantly higher weight gain, improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), and better thermoregulation compared to the control (T1) and jaggery (T2) groups. Meat quality analysis revealed lower pH and slightly higher protein content in T3, while fat percentage remained almost unchanged across all groups. Jaggery supplementation had minimal impact on growth performance and biochemical markers. These findings highlight Curcuma longa as a promising natural supplement for enhancing poultry resilience and productivity during winter stress.