Effects of Comfrey Grass (Symphytum Spp.) Included Diets on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Turkey

Abstract

The study was conducted at National Animal Nutrition Research Center, Khumaltar to examine the effect of comfrey on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Turkey from 8 th weeks to 22 nd of age. A total of 84 8 th week of age unsexed turkey chicks were allocated randomly into four treatment with three replication having seven birds in each replication using completely randomized design (CRD). All the turkey were kept in adjustment period for one week.During the experimental periods, four experimental diets were Control (concentrate diet, (T0)) and 10%, 20% and 30% comfrey included diet i.e. treatment (T1), treatment (T2) and treatment (T3), respectively. The results showed that at earlier days of experiment, the feed intake of comfrey inclusion diet was lower.However, the intake of feed increase significantly (p<0.05) at 30% comfrey included diet. The mean weekly weight of the turkey with diet of 30% comfrey included was significantly lower (p<0.05) up to 11 th weeks of age, but the weight of the birds were found similar at later stage of growth. There was no significant difference in live weight, carcass weight and other visceral organs weight except chest, back, shank and lungs weight. The results implied that the comfrey forage can be incorporated in formulated diet of turkey at the inclusion level of 20% for higher production performance with low feed intake. In coming days, further study on nutrients component of comfrey improving immune modulation, meat quality and production of safe meat production need to be carried out.