Effect of crude and fermented tomato pomace on growth performance, blood parameters and morphology of ileum in broiler chickens

In order to compare the effect of adding tomato pomace on broiler diets, two types of crude and fermented tomato pomace each in four levels (5, 10, 15 and 20%) as factorial arrangement 2 × 4 in a completely randomized design and a control treatment with 9 experimental treatments and 3 replications, and their effects on performance, blood parameters and morphology of ileum in broiler chicken were investigated. The results showed that feeding broiler chickens with fermented tomato pomace improved weight gain compared to raw tomato pomace and control (P<0.05). Consumption of chicken fed with fermented tomato pomace had no significant difference with raw tomato pomace. But feed conversion ratio of chickens fed with fermented tomato pomace was better (P<0.05). The highest weight gain and feed intake was observed in 15% of fermented tomato pomace (P<0.05). Feeding broiler chickens with fermented tomato pomace significantly reduced cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein and increased high density lipoprotein (P<0.05). The villus height:crypt depth ratio and villus height in the ileum was higher in chicken fed with fermented tomato pomace than raw tomato pomace and control treatment (P<0.05). The use of fermented tomato pomace reduced cholesterol, improved the performance and health of broiler chicks than raw tomato pomace, so it is possible to use it up to 15% levels in the diet of broiler chickens.