Netshipale, A. J.Mahlako, K. T.Mpyane, Zelda Tebogo2026-06-182026-06-182026-05-19Mpyane, Z.T. 2026. Effects of Hot Red Pepper (Capsicum annum) on Growth Performance and Visceral Organs of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3225AGMAASDepartment of Animal ScienceThe study investigated the effects of hot red pepper powder’s provision method and level of inclusion on the growth performance and size of visceral organs and tissues of broilers to contribute to the mitigation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Three hundred female Ross 308 day-old chicks were used, housed in a deep litter, naturally ventilated, open-sided. Two pepper provision methods (with diet and water) and five levels of pepper inclusion (0, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5%) were used in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with three replications. Broilers were fed starter-finisher antibiotic-free diets from day 8 to 49. Birds had access to water. Birds were weighed on day 8 and at the end of each growth phase. Feed was weighed when offered, and the leftovers were recorded at the end of each week. Water was measured when offered, and refusal was recorded the next morning. On day 50, a random bird from each pen was selected and slaughtered to collect data on the size of visceral organs and tissues. Analysis of variance was conducted using the General Linear Model procedure of Minitab version 19. Means were separated using Tukey’s and LSD procedures at the p< 0.05 significance level. During the starter period, higher (P< 0.01) ADFI of 64-66 g/b/d was observed for the water method with inclusions of 0.75, 1, and 1.5%; heavier (P< 0.01) birds were on pepper in feed (493 g/b) and at 1.25% inclusion (510 g/b) than for 0.75, 1, and 1.5%; and FCR was lower (P< 0.05) at 1.5% than for the control. During the grower phase, provision method and inclusion level did not affect (P> 0.05) growth performance. During the finisher phase, the interaction of the provision method and inclusion level affected ADWI (P< 0.05) and FCR (P> 0.01). Water intake of 268 mL/b/d was higher (P> 0.05) at 1.25% in water than at 1% in water and 0 and 1.5% with feed; poor (P> 0.01) FCR of 4.8 was observed for 0.75% in water, which was like that of 1.5% in feed, during finisher. No mortality occurred during the experimental period. Adding pepper to water increased (P<0.01) spleen size by 0.08%, and liver size was 0.2% bigger at 1.5% inclusion than at 0 and 0.75%. These findings show that adding pepper up to 1.5% is safe for the birds, but the findings on growth performance were not conclusive.1 online resource (x, 41 leaves): color illustrationsenUniversity of VendaAntimicrobial resistanceUCTDAntibioticsFeed Conversion ratioVisceral organsProvision methodWater intakeDissertationMpyane ZT. Effects of Hot Red Pepper (Capsicum annum) on Growth Performance and Visceral Organs of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens. []. , 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Mpyane, Z. T. (2026). <i>Effects of Hot Red Pepper (Capsicum annum) on Growth Performance and Visceral Organs of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMpyane, Zelda Tebogo. <i>"Effects of Hot Red Pepper (Capsicum annum) on Growth Performance and Visceral Organs of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens."</i> ., , 2026.TY - Dissertation AU - Mpyane, Zelda Tebogo AB - The study investigated the effects of hot red pepper powder’s provision method and level of inclusion on the growth performance and size of visceral organs and tissues of broilers to contribute to the mitigation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Three hundred female Ross 308 day-old chicks were used, housed in a deep litter, naturally ventilated, open-sided. Two pepper provision methods (with diet and water) and five levels of pepper inclusion (0, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5%) were used in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with three replications. Broilers were fed starter-finisher antibiotic-free diets from day 8 to 49. Birds had access to water. Birds were weighed on day 8 and at the end of each growth phase. Feed was weighed when offered, and the leftovers were recorded at the end of each week. Water was measured when offered, and refusal was recorded the next morning. On day 50, a random bird from each pen was selected and slaughtered to collect data on the size of visceral organs and tissues. Analysis of variance was conducted using the General Linear Model procedure of Minitab version 19. Means were separated using Tukey’s and LSD procedures at the p< 0.05 significance level. During the starter period, higher (P< 0.01) ADFI of 64-66 g/b/d was observed for the water method with inclusions of 0.75, 1, and 1.5%; heavier (P< 0.01) birds were on pepper in feed (493 g/b) and at 1.25% inclusion (510 g/b) than for 0.75, 1, and 1.5%; and FCR was lower (P< 0.05) at 1.5% than for the control. During the grower phase, provision method and inclusion level did not affect (P> 0.05) growth performance. During the finisher phase, the interaction of the provision method and inclusion level affected ADWI (P< 0.05) and FCR (P> 0.01). Water intake of 268 mL/b/d was higher (P> 0.05) at 1.25% in water than at 1% in water and 0 and 1.5% with feed; poor (P> 0.01) FCR of 4.8 was observed for 0.75% in water, which was like that of 1.5% in feed, during finisher. No mortality occurred during the experimental period. Adding pepper to water increased (P<0.01) spleen size by 0.08%, and liver size was 0.2% bigger at 1.5% inclusion than at 0 and 0.75%. These findings show that adding pepper up to 1.5% is safe for the birds, but the findings on growth performance were not conclusive. DA - 2026-05-19 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Antibiotics KW - Feed Conversion ratio KW - Visceral organs KW - Provision method KW - Water intake LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2026 T1 - Effects of Hot Red Pepper (Capsicum annum) on Growth Performance and Visceral Organs of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens TI - Effects of Hot Red Pepper (Capsicum annum) on Growth Performance and Visceral Organs of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens UR - ER -