Evaluation of Dietary Inclusion of Red Seaweed (Gracilaria tenuistipitata) on Carcass Characteristics, Relative Organ Weights and Economic Performance of Commercial Broiler Chickens

Seaweeds have emerged as promising non-conventional feed ingredients owing to their rich nutritional composition and functional bioactive compounds. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of graded dietary inclusion of red seaweed (Gracilaria tenuistipitata) on carcass characteristics, relative organ weights and economic performance in commercial broiler chickens. A total of 200 day-old Vencobb 430Y broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with five replicates of ten birds each: 0% (T1, control), 1% (T2), 2% (T3) and 4% (T4) red seaweed. The feeding trial was conducted for 35 days. Carcass evaluation showed no significant (P>0.05) differences among treatments in pre-slaughter live weight, eviscerated carcass yield, giblet yield, or ready-to-cook yield. However, weight after bleeding and New York dressed yield were significantly (P<0.01) higher in the control group (97.53% and 92.47%, respectively) than in T2 (94.45% and 89.42%). Among cut-up parts, neck yield was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T4 (6.79%) compared with T1 (4.89%) and T2 (5.62%), while breast, back, thigh, drumstick and wing yields were unaffected (P>0.05). Relative weights of heart, liver, gizzard, spleen and thymus did not differ among treatments; however, the bursa of Fabricius was significantly (P<0.05) heavier in T4 (0.31%) than in all other groups, indicating potential immunomodulatory effects. Economic analysis showed that although 4% inclusion had the lowest production cost per bird, the highest net return and economic efficiency were achieved at 2% inclusion due to its favourable sale value and 100% livability. Higher inclusion reduced profitability despite lower feed costs because of decreased live and dressed weights. Thus, G. tenuistipitata at 1–2% can be safely adopted, with 2% being the most economically viable level. These findings highlight the potential of G. tenuistipitata as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative feed resource in broiler production, with optimal inclusion improving economic returns while maintaining carcass quality and bird health.