Assessment of growth, nutrient digestibility and productive efficiencyof broiler fed diet with phytogenic herbal supplement

The study assessed effect of phytogenic herbal supplement (PHS) on growth, nutrient digestibility and productive efficiency of broilers birds. Two hundred forty one-day old (Cobb 400) broiler chicks were assigned 6 dietary treatments (T-1 to T- 6) dividing into 6 homogenous groups with 4 replicates in each. T-1 was fed rations without any supplement, T-2 was fed rations supplemented with AGP (Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate) @ 0.5g/kg, and T-3, T-4, T-5 and T-6 were fed rations supplemented with PHS at 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25%, respectively. The feeding trial was conducted for 42 days housing the birds under deep litter system following standard managemental protocols. Deworming and vaccination were done as per schedule. Daily feed intake and weekly body weight were recorded. Productive efficiency was calculated at 42nd day of age as FCR, PEI and ERS. Findings revealed no significant effect of PHS on feed consumption and body weight gain during the first 3 weeks. Body weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) higher in PHS fed groups during 4th, 5th and 6th weeks. Metabolizability of nutrients differed significantly (P<0.05) among the treatments. The FCR, PEI and ERS were significantly (P<0.05) better in PHS fed groups with highest value recorded in T-6. Based on the findings, it may be concluded that PHS could be recommended at 1.25% level for optimum growth, nutrient digestibility and productive efficiency of broiler birds. Further, the PHS at 1.25% could also be recommended as alternative to antibiotics growth promoter i.e. BMD forbroiler birds.