Dietary supplementation of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) powder protects white pekin ducks exposed to hot and humid shed environment during summer from stress-induced alterations in the serum biochemical parameters

The present investigation was carried out to examine the ameliorative effects of supplementing feed with licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) powder on heat stress impacts in duckling. Twenty-four three weeks old White Pekin ducklings, randomly divided into four groups with six birds in each, were used for the present investigation for a period of 42 days in the month of May and June in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The maximum and minimum temperature and relative humidity recorded in the shed was 36.33±0.47°C and 25.57±0.32°C and 87.17±0.36% and 64.20±0.92%, respectively along with prevailing hot air waves, exposing the birds to heat stress. All the trial birds were kept in deep litter system with ad libitum feeding and watering. One group of ducklings served as positive control (group I) and the birds were given only the basal diet. The treatment groups such as group II, III and IV were provided with licorice powder @ 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg of feed, respectively for a period of 42 days. Feed supplementation with licorice powder at the dose rate of 1000 mg/kg during 3^rd to 9^th week of age reduced stress and growth retardation in duckling due to high ambient temperature and humidity as evident from reduced LDH, AST, ALT, triglyceride, cholesterol, urea and enhanced glucose, total protein, ALP, Ca, P and uric acid.