Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Carcass Quality of Broiler Chicken

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder on performance and carcass quality of broilers during 0–6 weeks of age. One hundred eighty, day old, commercial broiler chicks (Ven Cob Strain) were divided into three treatment groups, i.e. T₀, T₁ and T₂, each group with 20 chicks per replicate reared on deep litter system, water and feed were provided ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. Basal diet was fed to the birds in control group (T₀) where as diets of treatment groups T₁ and T ₂ were fortified with 0.25 and 0.5 percent Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), respectively. The body weight gain of T₁ and T ₂ birds during finisher phase were significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to birds of T₀, however, these value did not differ significantly among treatment groups T₁ and T ₃. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) also improved significantly (P<0.05) by supplementation of either level of Ashwagandha. The drumstick weight increased significantly (P<0.05) with supplementation of Ashwagandha, however, did not show any significant effect over dressing percent, giblet weight and cooking yield percent. Sensory scores viz appearance, flavor, juiciness, texture and overall acceptability were not affected significantly with supplementation of 0.25 or 0.5% Ashwagandha. Thus, it may be concluded that average weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, drumstick weight and pH of fresh meat was improved on feeding Ashwagandha root powder as herbal feed supplement.