Fenugreek Seed Supplementation in Broiler Diets: Benefits for Growth, Feed Efficiency, and Meat Yield

Dr. Safa Elmedani

Animal Production Specialist | Animal Nutritionist

7 min read
03/01/2025
Fenugreek Seed Supplementation in Broiler Diets: Benefits for Growth, Feed Efficiency, and Meat Yield

Introduction 

AAFCO (American Feed Control Officials) defines feed additive as "an ingredient or  combination of ingredients added to the basic feed mix to fulfill a specific need and  usually used in micro quantities and requires careful handling and mixing." The  European Union officially banned the usage of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry and livestock in 2006 (Halfhide, 2003), which led the researchers to look for other alternatives. One of the possible alternatives reported in poultry production is phytogenic additives, which include a group of natural feed additives derived from herbs, spices, or other plants or their extracts in the form of essential oils (Windisch et al., 2008). They are incorporated into the diet of animal feed in order to enhance productivity by improving digestibility, nutrient absorption, and elimination of pathogens residents in the gut (Athanasiadou et al., 2007).

feed additives.PNG

Fenugreek Seed: A Natural Feed Additive

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum), which is a medicinal plant with a strong spicy and seasoning type of sweet flavor, is one of the various phytogenics available (Blank,  1996). Fenugreek is used in functional foods, traditional foods, nutraceuticals, as well as in physiological uses such as antibacterial, antiparasitic, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anthelmintic, hypo-cholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antidiabetic agent, and has a beneficial impact on digestion and the ability to alter food texture  (Murlidhar and Goswami, 2012). Fenugreek seeds are rich in proteins, fats, total carbohydrates, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and magnesium  (Gupta et al., 1996), predominantly linoleic fatty acids. Linolenic, Palmitic and Oleic  (Schryver, 2002). It also contains neurin, biotin, and trimethylamine, which, through its action on the nervous system, helps to stimulate the appetite (Michael and Kumawat,  2003). PABA (Para-Amino Benzoic Acid), lecithin, choline, saponin, flavonoids, and antibiotic compounds are also present in fenugreek seeds (Mamoun et al., 2014). Fenugreek seeds are regarded as an appetizer and assist in digestion, improving health and growth performance.

Nutritional Profile of Fenugreek Seeds

The proximate analysis of fenugreek seeds powder 

Nutrient 

%

Dry matter 

90.67

Crude protein 

30.82

Crude fiber 

14.80

Ether extract 

3.42

Ash 

4.50

Nitrogen free extract 

46.46

Effect of Fenugreek Seed Supplementation on Broiler Growth

Alloui et al. (2012) reported that feeding Fenugreek seeds at 3 g/kg of feed in broiler chicken significantly increases feed intake due to the presence of galactomannans and neurin, which stimulates the appetite and improvement in FCR (feed conversion ratio) due to the beneficial effect on gut microflora. 

Impact on Feed Conversion and Weight Gain

Adding fenugreek seed powder to broiler diets resulted in a significant (P≤0.05 or P≤0.01) increase in average live body weight at 6 and 8 weeks of age, as well as in average weight gain during the periods of 6-8 weeks and 0-8 weeks. Chicks fed diets containing 1.0 %  fenugreek seeds powder, the heaviest body weight at 6 and 8 weeks of age, and the highest weight gain between 6 to 8 weeks and the entire period (0-8 weeks). On the other hand, the highest body weight at 6 and 8 weeks of age and the lowest weight gain during 6-8 and the whole duration (0 – 8 weeks) were significantly reported for chicks fed a diet containing 1.5 % fenugreek seeds powder. Similar results were obtained by Toaha et al. (2016), concluding that the addition of moderate levels (1- 2 %) for broiler diets by fenugreek seeds increased both body weight and body weight gain, while the addition of high body weight and body weight gain was significantly lower (3 %). Azouz (2001), Abu-Dieyeh and Abou-Darwish (2008),  Alloui et al.(2012), and Qureshi et al. (2015) have pointed to a rise in live body weight and body weight by feeding broiler chicks on diets containing fenugreek seeds. The increase in the live weight of fenugreek seeds broilers may be due to the fact that fenugreek seeds contain essential fatty acids and high-quality proteins (Żuk Gołaszewska and Wierzbowska, 2017) and have a stimulating impact on broiler villus height of the digestive system (Mamoun et al., 2014; Mahmood et al., 2015). 

Fenugreek seed feed efficiency improvement may be linked to the production of gastrointestinal tissue morphological changes in broiler chick gut (Alloui et al., 2012; Amal et al., 2013; Weerasingha and Atapattu, 2013). Morphological variations in gastrointestinal tissues can be caused by differences in the microbial content of the intestines, including their metabolites (Xu et al., 2003). Yadav and Jha (2019) also mentioned in their study that gut microbiota and their metabolic products improve absorption and nutrient utilization in poultry. 

Meat Yield and Carcass Quality with Fenugreek

Mamoun et al. (2014) reported that the 1% level supplementation of fenugreek seeds in the broiler chicken diet caused substantial improvements in the percentage of carcass and intestinal length. Due to the inclusion of fenugreek seeds in the diet, a significant impact on the digestive parts was seen, and an increase in weight and length of intestines has been reported (Duru et al., 2013). However,  Weerasingha and Atapattu (2013) reported that fenugreek seed supplementation had no significant impact on intestinal length per 100g of body weight when measured. In addition, Bhaisare et al. (2014) observed that dietary inclusion of Fenugreek seeds at 0.5% level in the eight-week diet of Nandanam Turkey poults resulted in substantial improvement in dressed weight (p<0.05) and attributed it to fenugreek's antimicrobial properties. Contact between digest and mucosal epithelium might prolong the positive impact on intestinal morphology, which may be more efficient for nutrient absorption (Bogusławska-Tryk et al., 2012).

broiler chicken.png

Conclusion: Fenugreek as a Natural Feed Supplement for Broilers

The addition of fenugreek seeds powder (as natural feed additives)at level 1.0% to the Sasso  broiler diet improved growth performance, digestibility of crude protein, dressing  fenugreek, broiler performance, digestibility, carcass

Reference 

  1. Abu-Dieyeh ZHM and MS AbuDarwish, 2008. Effect of feeding powdered fenugreek seeds (TrigonellafoenumL.) on growth performance of 4-8 week old broilers. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7:286-290 
  2. Alloui, N., Aksa, S. B., Alloui, M. N., & Ibrir, F. (2012). Utilization of  fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) as growth promoter for broiler  chickens. Journal of World's Poultry Research, 2(2), 25-27 
  3. Amal, O. A., Mukhtar, A. M., Mohamed, K.A., & Ahlam, A. H. (2013). Use  of Halfa Bar Essential Oil (HBO) as a Natural Growth Promoter in Broiler  Nutrition. International Journal of Poultry Science, 12(1), 15-18. 
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Dr. Safa Elmedani
Animal Production Specialist | Animal Nutritionist

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