Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Powders on Performance, Enzyme Activity, and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens Under Heat Stress

The effect of cinnamon and turmeric powders on performance, and blood parameters of broiler chickens under heat stress were investigated. 200 one-day-old male chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates with 10 birds in each replicate. All birds were treated with heat stress (32 degrees C) and were either fed no any supplement (control), or 0.5% turmeric, 0.5% cinnamon, and a blend of cinnamon and turmeric (0.25% each) when they were 25 to 42 days of age. We found that supplementation of turmeric, cinnamon, and their combination increased feed intake and body weight gain compared to control birds (P < 0.05). Blood uric acid concentration and lactate dehydrogenase activities decreased in the supplemented diets (P < 0.05). Blood malondialdehyde also decreased in all diets, but had the most striking reduction in the diets containing both turmeric and cinnamon (P < 0.05). Blood aspartate aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine were not affected by the dietary treatments. Similarly, blood sodium, potassium, chlorine, hematocrit and rectal temperature were unchanged by the supplements (P > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of cinnamon and turmeric either alone or together improve the performance of broiler chickens under heat stress by reducing lipid peroxidation.