Body Temperature, Feed Intake and Plasma Metabolites of Indigenous Chicks by Oral Administration of Watermelon Rind Extract with Two different Colors of Flesh: Yellow and Red

Authors: Erwan E*, Irawati E, Nazir A, Fitra D and Rodiallah M

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000300

Volume 4, Issue 3

Abstract

One of the challenge in poultry production is heat stress because of it tend to increase body temperature in chickens. Watermelon rind (WR) contain abundant of amino acid L-Cirtulline (L-Cit). Oral administration of L-Cit has been shown to have hypothermic agent that could improve thermotolerance in layer chicks. However, no information has been available for comparison of oral administration of WR extract (WRE) with two different colors of flesh: yellow and red in indigenous chicken. The present study was performed to examine whether oral administration of yellow or red WRE affect feed intake, body temperature and plasma metabolites in indigenous chicks. 5-day-old indigenous chicks were given acute oral administration of WRE (10 ml/ kg) under control thermoneutral temperature (CT). Oral administration of both yellow and red WRE did not alter feed intake and body temperature and plasma metabolites in indigenous chicks. These results indicate that oral administration of yellow or red WRE may not alter thermoregulation, feed intake and plasma metabolites in indigenous chicks.

Keywords: Body Temperature; Indigenous Chicks; Feed Intake; Plasma Metabolites; Watermelon Rind

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