Performance of Broiler Chicken Fed Diets Supplemented with a Phytogenic Mixture

Two hundred fifty (Vencobb-400Y strain), day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups of 50 birds each. Each group was further divided in to 5 replicates of 10 birds each. These were kept either on basal diet without any supplement (NCON), basal diet with antibiotic (PCON), basal diet with 1% phytogenic mixture (LPH), basal diet with 2% phytogenic mixture (MPH) and basal diet with 3% phytogenic mixture (HPH) for 35 days in order to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic mixture on the performance of broiler chicken. The phytogenic mixture supplemented group's birds had higher body weight than the control group birds and the mean body weight of LPH, MPH and HPH was higher (P<0.05) than NCON group. After 35 days of experimental period, it was found that the total feed intake of phytogenic supplemented birds was similar to NCON group but higher than that of PCON birds. Among the phytogenic mixture supplemented birds, lowest feed intake was observed in MPH group. Among the herbal supplemented groups, lowest FCR was found in MPH group and it was similar to PCON group. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) of herbs supplemented groups was higher (P<0.05) than NCON group but lower than that of PCON group. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of phytogenic mixture supplemented birds was better (P<0.05) than NCON group and lower than that of PCON group. Among herbal groups, the highest PER was found in MPH group. The performance index of phytogenic mixture supplemented birds was higher (P<0.05) in comparison to NCON birds. Rearing of broilers supplemented with phytogenic mixture was more economical than NCON group but less economical than the birds reared on conventional system of rearing i.e. on AGP. Therefore, 2% phytogenic mixture was economical and has potential to use as an alternative to AGP in broiler rearing.