Effects of quercetagetin on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, slaughter performance, meat quality, and antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens

Abstract This study investigated the effects of quercetagetin (QG) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and antioxidant capacity of broilers. Four hundred 1‐day‐old Cobb broilers were randomly divided into five diets, each with eight replicates and 10 birds per replicate. The diets included a basal diet, and four diets with 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg QG supplemented in basal diet. Body weight on d 21, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake on days 1–21 were quadratically ( p < 0.05) increased with increasing QG supplementation. The apparent digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, and total phosphorus increased linearly ( p < 0.05) from day 1 to 21, and increased quadratically ( p < 0.05) from day 22 to 42. The L* values of leg muscles were lower ( p < 0.05) in QG groups than control group. QG supplementation quadratically ( p < 0.05) elevated glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum. The L* value was negatively correlated with GSH‐Px. These results suggested that QG supplementation (50–100 mg/kg) enhanced early growth, nutrient digestibility, and antioxidant status in broilers, highlighting its functional properties and potential as an additive to improve broiler productivity.