Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) and Vitamin Eon Growth Performance, Carcass Quality, Haematological and Immunological Parameters of Broiler Chicks.

Abstract

T~esi~ Title: "Effect of dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and V1tamm E on growth performance, carcass quality, haematological and immunological parameters of broiler chicks". The present study was carried out to study the "Effect of dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera) and Vitamin E on growth performance, carcass quality, haematological and immunological parameters of broiler chicks". This experiment ·was conducted at the P. R. T. C. of the College of Vety. & Animal Sciences, SVPUA & T Modipuram, Meerut, during the months of June and July, 2015. The broiler chicks were fed with the experimental material together for a peri~d of 7 days. The 7 day old chicks were weighed and randomly. allocated to the treatments randomly into 6 groups(To -Ts), 60 broiler chicks in each group. Each group was divided into three replicate (R I, R2 and R3) and each replicate contained 20 chicks. Every group was reared on deep litter houses comprising of wood shavings for upto six weeks. Standard managemental conditions were provided during experimental period. The basic feed was used as carrier for premixing the Ashwagandha and Vitamin E. The inclusion levels of Ashwagandha and Vitamin E for the different treatment groups. Weekly Body weight of all groups of broiler chicks were observed at weekly interval. Average body weight of the broiler chicks fed diets supplemented with different levels of Vitamin E and Ashwagandha at various ages. Feed consumption was calculated by subtracting the amount of feed residue from the amount of feed offered in a week and was expressed in term of average feed consumption (gram) by a bird per week. The value for feed consumption for all six groups has been presented. Weekly feed conversion ratio was calculated as the ratio of feed consumed and body weight gain per week by different group of broiler chickens. Haematological parameters such as Haemoglobin, Packed Cell Volume (P.C.V), Total Erythrocytic Count (TEC),Total Leucocytic Count {TLC), Differential Leucocytes Count (DLC) has been estimated at the end of the experiment. The mean values of all parameters for all six groups has been presented. The Ashwagandha treated groups shown significant difference in haematological parameters and among them the T4 group had the highest values for haematological parameters. It was concluded that supplementation of Ashwagandha at inclusion rate of250mglkg along with I OOmg/kg Vitamin E was found optimum and had significant effect on body weight, feed conversion efficiency, haematological and immunological parameters. It also improves the carcass quality of birds, which ultimately yields more economic profits for the poultry farmers.