The Effect of Natural Aromatase Blocker on the Growth Comb and Body Weight of Layer Chicken

¹ Postgraduate Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada
² Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada
³ Laboratory of Animal Development Structure, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada

^* Corresponding author: pastuti2@ugm.ac.id

Abstract

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of Anadara granosa shell powder as a natural aromatase blocker (NAB) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) on the growth of the length comb, width comb, and body weight (BW) of layer chicken. This study used 45 DOC of layer’s chickens with 3 treatments and 15 replications, those are; control (T0), clamshell powder Anadara granosa as NAB 0.036 mg/40 g BW (T1), and ZnSO₄ 0.018 mg / 40 g BW (T2). This treatment was given for 35 days. The data on the growth of length comb, width comb, and BW are measured weekly. The data collected was analyzed using one-way ANOVA at the 95% confidence level with the assistance of SPSS. The results of statistical analysis of the length and width of the comb in the same column showed that T0 was not significantly different (p>0.05) from other treatments. The statistical analysis shows that the length and width of the layer’s chicken comb in the same row at T0, T1 and T2 were significantly different (p<0.05). The results of statistical analysis of the BW in the same column showed that T1 was significantly different (p<0.05) from other treatments. It can be concluded that additional NAB 0.036 mg/40 g BW can increase the body weight of male layer chicken after treatment of 35 days. The administration of NAB and ZnSO₄ could not increase the growth of the length and width of layer chicken combs. The growth in length and width of layer chicken combs is very fast in the starter phase.