Indian Journal of Poultry Science
Year : 2007, Volume : 42, Issue : 1
First page : ( 92) Last page : ( 94)
Print ISSN : 0019-5529.

Effect of supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on performance of broilers

Akotkar N.S., Sarag A.N., Rekhate D.H., Dhok A.P.

Department of Poultry Science, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Akola – 444 104 (MS)

* Corresponding author

Received:  17  October,  2005; Accepted:  22  May,  2007.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted for six weeks to study the effect of feed supplementation of medicinal plant Withania somnifera root powder on the performance and haemo-immune response of broilers. One hundred eighty broiler chicks of one day age were randomly distributed into five treatments having three replications comprising twelve chicks in each. The average body weight of all the groups were similar. The dietary treatments T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ contained Withania somnifera at the rate of 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, and 1.25% respectively. The body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion efficiency revealed significant (P < 0.01) variations among the groups. Haematological studies revealed significant (P < 0.01) increase in PCV and haemoglobin per cent in Ashwagandha treated groups over untreated group. Immunological study indicated significantly (P < 0.01) higher HI titre and skin thickness in group fed on 1.25% Ashwagandha where as significantly (P < 0.01) higher skin diameter was recorded in group fed on 0.75% Ashwagandha. It was concluded that supplementation of 1 per cent Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder significantly improved body weights, feed efficiency and the immune status of birds.

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Key words

Withania somnifera, broilers.

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