Effect of dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and ascorbic acid on production performance of broiler birds

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing diets with Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in combination with ascorbic acid on production performance of broiler. Day-old vaccinated commercial broiler chicks (n=240), were procured from a private hatchery. The chicks were distributed into 4 treatments having 4 replicates of 15 chicks in each replicate. Three diets i.e., T₁, T₂ and T₃ were formulated to contain 1% Ashwagandha powder, 0.05% ascorbic acid and combination of 0.5% Ashwagandha powder + 0.025% ascorbic acid respectively. One control group (C) was also taken without supplementation of Ashwagandha powder and ascorbic acid. The birds in supplemented groups gained (P<0.05) more weight compared to the control group. Highest weight gain was observed in T₁ group followed by T₃, T₂ and C The supplementation of Ashwagandha, ascorbic acid and their combination increased the feed intake (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) values at 4^th or 6^th week age improved in T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups than in control group. The Performance Index (P.I.) during 0–6 weeks of age the PI was significant (P<0.05) low in C in respect to T₁, T₂ and T₃. Throughout the experimental period 1.66% mortality was recorded in total number of birds. No mortality was observed in the Ashwagandha and combination group. The results revealed that dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha (1%), ascorbic acid (0.05%) and their combination (0.5% + 0.025%) in broiler diet increased performance of broiler chicks during summer months in comparison to control group.