Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and vitamin C on hematological profile and carcass traits of broiler birds.

Abstract

Not AvailableA study was conducted to estimate the effect of supplementing diets with vitamin C and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on hematological parameters and carcass traits of broiler at hot weather. Two hundred and forty (240), day-old vaccinated commercial broiler chicks were procured from a private hatchery located at Hisar, Haryana, India. The chicks were distributed into 4 treatments having 4 replicates of 15 chicks in each replicate. T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain an additional 1% Ashwagandha powder, 0.05% Vitamin C and combination of 0.5% Ashwagandha powder + 0.025% Vitamin C respectively whereas, T1 was served as control. Supplementations Ashwagandha with combination of vitamin C lead to significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of hemoglobin over the control group. Control group (T1) had significantly lower (P<0.05) TLC in comparison to the supplemented groups at high THI of above 80 which is considered as uncomfortable. There were significantly higher TLC in Ashwagandha (T2) and combination (T4) group in respect to Vitamin C (T3) and control groups (T1). The control group had significantly (P<0.05) higher heterophil percent than all other groups. Ashwagandha, Vitamin C and their combination significantly (P<0.05) improved the carcass yield in hot weather. The giblet percentage of Vitamin C (T2) group was higher than Ashwagandha and control but similar to the combination (T4) group. The result reveals that dietary supplementation of vitamin C, Ashwagandha and their combination in broiler diet is beneficial for hematological values and carcass traits of broiler birds at hot weather.