Effect of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) on performance and carcass characteristic of broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of purslane on performance and carcass characteristic of broiler chickens. Broiler chicks were allocated randomly in 3 groups with 4 replicates and 12 chick per replicates to receive diets supplemented with 0 (control), 1 and 2 % of dried purslane for 42 days. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were measured at the end of every week and calculated for starter (1-21 days) and grower (22-42 days) periods. Four male and four female chicks from each treatment were chosen randomly and killed by cervical dislocation on day 42 and carcass components weights were measured. The results of this experiment indicated that purslane did not affect FI, BWG and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers in starter period. However BWG and FI increased significantly with inclusion of dried purslane in grower and throughout the experimental period (P<0.05), but FCR didn’t changed significantly. Dried purslane did not have a significant effect on carcass component. Therefore, it was concluded that supplementation of diet with dried purslane can increase weight gain and feed intake of broiler chicks without changes in feed conversion ratio.