Effect of dietary supplementation of poly herbal liver tonic on immunocompetence, development of digestive organs and carcass quality of broiler chicken

A study was conducted during the months of December-January to determine the effect of supplementation of polyherbal liver tonic on the immune competence traits, development of digestive organs and carcass quality traits of commercial broilers during extreme winter. 60, one week old, Cobb 400 broiler chickens were distributed into two experimental groups having three replicates of ten birds each. The birds of the control group were fed a basal diet (22.5% CP & 2830 Kcal/kg ME) while the other group was offered a basal diet supplemented with Superliv liquid in drinking water @ 5 ml/100 birds/day during 2–3 weeks and 20 ml/100 birds/day during 4–6 weeks of age. Total immunoglobulins, mercaptoethanol resistant (IgG) and mercaptoethanol sensitive (IgM) antibody titer (log₂) values in response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the Superliv liquid group compared to the control group. Cell mediated immune response (foot web index) was apparently higher in the liver tonic group compared to the control group. Percent length and weight of small intestine was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the liver tonic group compared to the control group at 6 weeks of age. Similarly, the liver tonic supplemented group birds had significantly higher (P<0.05) percent of gizzard weight compared to the control group at 6 weeks of age. However, no significant difference was observed in the other carcass quality characteristics and cut up parts. It may not be unreasonable to infer that Superliv liquid possesses promising immunomodulatory potential and supplementation of Superliv liquid during extreme winter may elicit development of certain digestive organs in commercial broilers.