Effect of dietary addition of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) powder on broiler performance

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) stem powder on growth performance, feed conversion ratio and economics of feeding in broilers. In experiment 1, treatments were T1: basal diet; T2: basal diet + ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder @ 1 g/kg of feed; T3: basal diet + ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder @ 2 g/kg of feed. In experiment 2, treatments were T1: basal diet; T2: basal diet + guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) stem powder @ 1 g/kg of feed; T3: basal diet + guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) stem powder @ 2 g/kg of feed. The chicks were fed with standard basal diets in three different growth phases i.e. pre-starter (0-10d), starter (11-21d) and finisher (22-42d). Supplementation of Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia significantly increased the overall body weights, weekly gain in body weight of broilers compared to the control group. However, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kilogram of live broiler production were similar among the treatment groups. The dietary addition of Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia reduced mortality rate compared to the control. Results indicated that ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) powder improved growth performance and reduced mortality, but did not have any effect on feed conversion ratio and economics of feeding in broilers.