Effect of Aswagandha on growth performance haematology and gastrointestinal enzymes in broiler chikcken Raghavan Rekha. P., Sreekumar K.P.*, Zarina Aziz Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur (Kerala) *Corresponding author: E.mail - kannoth_s@yahoo.com
Online published on 28 September, 2012. Abstract The study was conducted to evalaute the effect dietary supplementation of Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) on growth, feed efficiency, haematology and gastrointestinal enzymes activity in broiler chicken. Thirty, day old broiler chicks (Vencob) reared under standard managemental condition, were used for the study. At day old, they were randomly divided into three groups with ten birds in each group. Birds in G1 group were provided standard broiler ration, while G2 and G3 groups were supplemented with Aswagandha @ 5g and 10 g/kg feed, respectively from day one to end of sixth week of age. Body weight, feed efficiency, weight gain, Hb, VPRC, TEC, TLC, MCV, MCH, MCHC and H:L were done on fourth, fifth and sixth week of age. At the end of the study (6 week of age), the activity of gastro intestinal enzymes viz., protease, amylase and lipase were also evaluated. The supplementation of Aswagandha in the feed improved the weekly weight gain, feed efficiency and consumption without any significant affect in total body weight. Though it did not interfere in the normal haematology of the bird it significantly (P< 0.05) improved the TLC and reduced the H:L ratio. It also enhanced the gastro intestinal enzymes like protease, amylase and lipase activity in broiler chicken. Supplementation of Aswagandha (5-10g/kg feed) in the broiler chicken improved the production traits, immune status, digestion and alleviated stress in chicken. Top Keywords Aswagandha, haematology, growth, gastrointestinal enzyme, broiler. Top |