ABSTRACT
Fresh garlic contains natural phytobiotics, whereas garlic powder – several biologically active substances
with prebiotic activity. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of feed supplementation with
garlic powder on growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality in broiler chickens. The experiment
was conducted with 120 male broiler chickens divided into 4 groups: group I – control; groups II, III and
IV – supplemented with 0.2% ; 0.4% and 0.8% garlic powder, respectively. The experiment lasted up to the
56th day of age. Growth performance of birds was determined, and at 56 days of age – slaughter analysis
was performed for evaluation of slaughter traits, pH, water holding capacity (WHC) and colour (L*, a*, b*)
of Musculus pectoralis superficialis, Musculus pectoralis profundus and Musculus femorotibialis medialis.
The results demonstrated a steady tendency towards increase in live body weight throughout the fattening
period proportionally to the level of dietary garlic powder supplementation. After feed supplementation
with increasing doses of garlic powder, feed conversion ratio (kg/kg) maintained a stable positive tendency
up to the 7th week of age. Garlic powder supplementation did not influence the proportion of edible offal
and meat cuts, except for abdominal fat percentage. Added to poultry feed at levels up to 0.8%, garlic
powder had no adverse effect on chicken meat quality, but an increased tenderness of Musculus pectoralis
superficialis was established.