Effect of dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and ascorbic acid on production performance of broiler birds

摘要

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing diets with Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in combination with ascorbic acid on production performance of broiler. Day-old vaccinated commercial broiler chicks (n=240), were procured from a private hatchery. The chicks were distributed into 4 treatments having 4 replicates of 15 chicks in each replicate. Three diets i.e., T_1, T_2 and T_3 were formulated to contain 1% Ashwagandha powder, 0.05% ascorbic acid and combination of 0.5% Ashwagandha powder + 0.025% ascorbic acid respectively. One control group (C) was also taken without supplementation of Ashwagandha powder and ascorbic acid. The birds in supplemented groups gained (P<0.05) more weight compared to the control group.Highest weight gain was observed in T_1 group followed by T_3 T_2 and C The supplementation of Ashwagandha, ascorbic acid and their combination increased the feed intake (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) values at 4th or 6th week age improved inT_1 T_2 and T_3 groups than in control group. The Performance Index (P.I.) during 0-6 weeks of age the PI was significant (P<0.05) low in C in respect to T_1 T_2 and T_3. Throughout the experimental period 1.66 % mortality was recorded in total number ofbirds. No mortality was observed in the Ashwagandha and combination group. The results revealed that dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha (1%), ascorbic acid (0.05%) and their combination (0.5% + 0.025%) in broiler diet increased performance of broiler chicks during summer months in comparison to control group.