Effect of sodium selenite and turmeric powder on Gompertz non-linear function in broilers reared under heat stress

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic and inorganic antioxidant on Gompertz non-linear function in broilers reared under heat stress. So, 180 one-day old chickens (male and female) were used in a completely randomized block design with 6 treatments and 3 replicates. The experimental diets were (T1) control diet; (T2) control diet + 5 gr.kg-1 turmeric powder; (T3) control diet + 10 gr.kg-1 turmeric powder; (T4) control diet + 0.3 mg.kg-1 sodium selenite; (T5) control diet + 0.3 mg.kg-1 sodium selenite +5 gr.kg-1 turmeric powder; and (T6) control diet + 0.3 mg.kg-1 sodium selenite +10 gr.kg-1 turmeric powder. Broilers were subjected to heat stress (35 ºC) during the fifth and sixth weeks. The results showed that diets including 10 gr.kg-1 turmeric powder significantly increased final weight (Wf), weight at inflection time (Wt) and time at inflection time (t) (p<0.05). However, the difference between 10 and 5 gr.kg-1 turmeric powder levels was not significant. The interaction between selenium and sex was significant on Wf in such a way that male chickens fed with selenium had higher Wf.