Performance of broilers fed ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) incorporated diets during summer season for alleviating heat stress

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of ashwagandha on alleviating heat stress using 90 numbers of day old broiler chicks dividing into 3 treatment groups containing 3 replicates in each group during summer season. The dietary treatments included T₁ (Control) without any herbal supplementation, T₂ -1.0% ashwagandha root powder and T₃ -0.15% ashwagandha root extract. At the end of 42 days of age, the body weight, feed intake, antioxidant level and immune status were significantly (p<0.05) better in ashwagandha root powder and extract supplemented groups when compared to the control group. Based on the above said results, ashwagandha root powder and extract are found to be beneficial to alleviate heat stress in broilers during summer season.