1Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144 411, Punjab, India
2Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Royal School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati-781 035, Assam, India
3Division of Dairy Extension, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, Haryana, India
4Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra, Bengaluru-560 065, Karnataka, India
5Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Nagpur-440 008, Maharashtra, India
6Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Assam Down Town University, Guwahati-781 026, Assam, India
*Corresponding Author: Dipankar Saikia, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Assam Down Town University, Guwahati-781 026, Assam, India, Email: dipankarsaikia880@gmail.com
Online Published on 27 January, 2026.
Broiler farming plays a vital role in supporting food security and rural livelihoods in India. However, with rising concerns over antibiotic resistance, there is a growing need to explore safer and more sustainable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). This study examined how selected nutraceutical feed additives influence broiler growth, health and profitability under practical farming conditions in Punjab.
A controlled 42-day trial was conducted with 500 broiler chicks divided into five groups: control (no additive), herbal (1%), nano-zinc (1%), probiotics (0.5%) and enzyme blend (0.3%). Growth performance, serum health markers and economic indicators were recorded. While the biological trial was carried out on 500 birds, the economic evaluation was extrapolated on a standard commercial scale of 1,000 birds to ensure comparability and practical relevance. Data were analyzed to assess differences in productivity and financial returns across treatments.
Birds fed with nano-zinc showed the highest body weight gain (2225 g), the better feed conversion ratio (1.67) and good economic profit (`165,100 per 1000 birds). The group fed with nano-zinc also recorded the best benefit-cost ratio (2.62) and lowest break-even cost, indicating significant economic viability. Enzyme- and probiotic-fed groups also performed well, though slightly behind nano-zinc. Improved serum protein levels and lowered liver enzyme values in this group suggested better physiological health and nutrient utilization. In contrast, the control group recorded lowest growth rate and poor returns.
Broiler performance, Economic efficiency, Feed additives, Nano-zinc, Serum biochemistry
