Effect of herbal growth promoter on the performance and economics of broiler chicken production

Day old chicks of Vencob strain (n=210) were randomly allotted into five treatment groups with six replicates having 7 chicks in each reared in deep litter. The birds in control group (To) were offered a standard diet, i.e. broiler starter mash from 0 to 20 days and finisher mash from 21 to 42 days of age. The feed offered to other four treatment groups was also the same as in To, but supplemented with various levels of Magacal i.e. @ 0.250 g (T₁), 0.375 g (T₂), 0.500 g (T₃) and 0.625 g (T₄) per kg feed, respectively. The average body weight and daily gain in weight was higher (P<0.05) in T₃ followed by T₂, T₄, T₁ and the least in T₀ Total feed intake and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was similar in all the treatment groups. The livability rate ranged between 96.07 to 100 per cent in all the groups. Performance index (PI) of birds was best in T₃ followed by T₂, T₄, T₁ and T₀ group. Dressing percentage was higher (P<0.05) in T₃ but it did not vary in other groups. The values for serum glucose and cholesterol were higher (P< 0.05) in To but were comparable in the other groups. Serum calcium was lower (P< 0.05) in the To than the other ones. The values of serum phosphorus, protein and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) were similar in all groups. The values for serum alkaline phosphates and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were higher (P< 0.05) in T₃ followed by T₄, T₁, T₂ and the least in To groups. The overall cost of production ranged between 70.11 to 74.14 Rs./bird in the five groups and the net profit (Rs/kg live wt) was highest (10.67) in T₃ and lowest (8.07) in To group. It was concluded that use of Magacal @ 0.500g/kg feed was beneficial in terms of superior live weight, feed conversion efficiency, performance index, dressing percentage, serum cholesterol and overall economy of rearing in particular and other parameters in general as compared to other combinations.