Exploration of immunomodulatory and production performance activity of Allium sativum and Withania somnifera against New castle disease in desi birds

The immunosuppression in desi birds is commonly reported due to regular outbreaks of Newcastle disease. To modulate the humoral and cell-mediated immune activity of desi birds, two herbal supplements were explored in the present study. The Aseel cross birds were divided into 5 treatment groups with three replicates of ten birds each. The treatment groups were control (T₁), vaccinated control (T₂), and vaccinated birds supplemented with Allium sativum - 0.25% + Withania somnifera - 0.25% (T₃), A. sativum - 0.5% + W. somnifera – 0.5% (T₄) and A. sativum - 1% + W. somnifera - 1% (T₅) in feed from 15^thday to four months. TANUVAS oral pellet New Castle Disease vaccine was administered on 15^th day and on 90^th day. The blood samples were collected at different periods for HI titre estimation. The delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity test was also conducted and the production performances were calculated. The HI titre of the T₃ group was 5.00±0.30, 3.67±0.30 and 5.50±0.42 at 45^th, 90^th and 112^th day respectively, which were higher HI titre than the vaccinated group (T₂) and the results of higher mean skin thickness in cutaneous hypersensitivity test and better production performance of T₃ group revealed that the combination of A. sativum (0.25%) and W. somnifera (0.25%) could be used to stimulate the immunity of desi birds against Newcastle disease.