Effect of Phytogenic Mixture Supplementation on Carcass Characteristics and Cost of Production in Broiler Chickens during Winter Season

Vishal Sharma1*, Devender Singh Bidhan1, Sanjay Yadav 2, Yogesh C. Bangar 3 and Dipin Chander Yadav

1Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, INDIA

2Department of Livestock Products Technology, LUVAS, Hisar, INDIA3Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, LUVAS, Hisar, INDIA

In present experiment 288 day-old commercial broiler chicks were subjected to eight dietary treatments consisting of three replicates of twelve chicks in each replicate were reared for a period of 6 weeks in winter season. The dietary treatments includes: T0- Negative control, T1-control, T2-0.5 % Amla + 0.5 % Ashwagandha + 0.25 % Turmeric powder, T3-0.25 % Amla + 0.5% Ashwagandha + 0.25% Turmeric powder, T4-0.125% Amla + 0.5 % Ashwagandha + 0.25 % Turmeric powder, T5- 0.5 % Amla + 0.25 % Ashwagandha + 0.25 % Turmeric powder, T6-0.5 % Amla + 0.125 % Ashwagandha + 0.25 % Turmeric powder and T7-0.5 % Amla + 0.5 % Ashwagandha + 0.125 % Turmeric powder. Standard managemental practices were followed during the experimental period. Supplementation of phytogenic mixture consisting of 0.5 % amla and 0.5 % Ashwagandha with 0.25% or 0.125 % turmeric powder (T2 and T7) gave best results and improved the giblet percentage, eviscerated weight percentage and drawn percentage in winter season. The cost of production of drawn weight ('/kg) of broilers at six weeks of age was reduced as much as ' 10.23 (T2) and ' 9.48 (T7) in winter season. The study concluded that addition of 0.5 % amla and 0.5 % Ashwagandha with 0.25% or 0.125 % turmeric powder can be effectively supplemented as an alternative to antibiotics growth promoter in poultry ration in winter for improving the carcass characteristics and such ration was found more economical in comparison to that having antibiotic growth promoter.

Poultry is one of the fastest growing segments of livestock in India. Poultry today not only act as an income stabilizer but also provides regular and timely income as compared to livestock and crop farming. The main objective of modern broiler farming is faster growth, high feed conversion efficiency livability and production of quality meat. The economics of production is very important criteria for broiler production where feed is the major important factor affecting the productive performance and economics of broiler production, next to genetic potential. In the past, the major growth promoters were antibiotics which have been found helpful in improvement of growth performance and feed conversion ratio in poultry (Miles et al., 2006 and Dibner and Buttin, 2002). However the use of antibiotics is being placed under more and more pressure as consumers increasingly fear that their use in the rations of poultry leads to the formation of resistance against bacteria which are pathogenic to humans (Langhout, 2000). Therefore, due to negative effects on health, use of antibiotics in poultry is banned in many countries (Owens et al., 2008; Alcicek et al., 2004; Botsoglou and Fletouris, 2001; Hertrampf, 2001). Herbs, spices and various plant extracts have received attention as possible replacement to antibiotic growth promoters. These are generally recognized as safe both for animals as well as humans; environmentally friendly; can be applicable in the diets of poultry and thus, address organic livestock production (Cabuk et al., 2006). Amla (Emblica officinalis), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) are known medicinal plant of therapeutic importance. They possess antistress, adaptogenic, immunogenic and other properties resulting in better performance of broilers. Keeping in view the facts stated above, the present study was planned to observe the effects of supplementation of phytogenic mixture on the carcass characteristics and economics of cost of production.

How to cite this article: Sharma, V., Bidhan, D.S. ., Yadav, S., Bangar, Y.C. and Yadav, D.C. (2020). Effect of phytogenic mixture supplementation on carcass characteristics and cost of production in broiler chickens during winter season. J. Anim. Res., 10 (1): 85-89.

The present investigation was conducted at the Poultry Farm of the Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Sciences, LalaLajpatRai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar. The experiment was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee.

288 one-day-old broiler chicks of Ven-Cobb strain-400 were purchased from a reputed local hatchery. The chicks were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups each having 36 chicks namely; T0- Negative control, T1-control, T2-0.5 % Amla + 0.5 % Ashwagandha + 0.25 % Turmeric powder, T3-0.25 % Amla + 0.5% Ashwagandha + 0.25% Turmeric powder, T4-0.125% Amla + 0.5 % Ashwagandha + 0.25 % Turmeric powder, T5- 0.5 % Amla + 0.25 % Ashwagandha + 0.25 % Turmeric powder, T6-0.5 % Amla + 0.125 % Ashwagandha +0.25 % Turmeric powder and T7-0.5 % Amla + 0.5 % Ashwagandha + 0.125 % Turmeric powder. Further each group was further divided into three replicates of 12 chicks each.

The chicks were reared under strict hygienic conditions. Chicks were vaccinated against new castle disease (F1 strain) on 5th day and Infectious bursal disease (IBD) on 14th day of experiment through intra-ocular route. Standard managemental practices including brooding, proper lighting, raking of litter, cleaning of feeders, waterers, etc. were followed. Before formulation of broiler rations, the feed ingredients were analyzed (AOAC, 2005) for proximate composition. Based upon the proximate composition of feed ingredients, the broiler pre-starter, starter and finisher rations were formulated according to BIS (2007) specifications (Table 1).

Table 1: Quantity of ingredients and chemical Composition (% DM basis) of experimental diet (kg/100 kg feed)

*Mineral mixture (salt froee): Ca (32%), P (6%), Mn (0.27%), Zn (0.26%), Iodine (0.01%), Fe (1000 ppm), Cu (100 ppm), and Co (50 ppm); f Intermix regular: Each gm contained Vitamin A-82,500 IU, Vit. B2-50 mg, Vit. D3-16,500 IU, and Vit. K-10mg.; J Intermix BE (DS) Powder: Each gm contained Vit.B1-8 mg, Vit.B6-16 mg, Vit.B12-80 mg, Niacin- 120mg, § Vit. E-80 mg, folic acid-6 mg and Calcium pentothenate -80 mg.; || Coxicheck: Amprolium-200 mg, vitamin K3-10 mg.; Lysine: Contained 98 per cent lysine; ** DL- methionine: Contained 98 per cent methionine; ff Choline chloride: Contain 60 percent choline.

At the end of the experiment 9 birds per treatment (three from each replicate) were randomly selected. The birds were kept off feed for 12 hours prior to their sacrifice, but water was given ad libitum. Weight of the birds, before and after fasting, was recorded. Immediately after recording their live weights, the birds were slaughtered by severing the jugular vein at the atlanto-occipital joint and allowed to bleed completely. Simultaneously blood sample for estimation of haemato-biochemical parameters of each bird was collected from jugular vein. Later their heads were separated at atlanto-occipital joint and shanks were cut out at hock joints. After removal of skin along with feathers, the carcass weight was recorded. It is called dressed yield and expressed as per cent of pre-slaughter weight. Dressed birds were then eviscerated by removing the crop, trachea and viscera as a whole. A horizontal cut was given rear to the keel bone; thereby the breast was a little upturned and pushed forward, exposing the viscera along with the visceral organs, which were then removed completely by pulling. The lungs were scrapped off.

Heart, liver and gizzard constituting giblets, were removed carefully from the viscera. The gall bladder was removed with care from liver to avoid its rupture. The gizzard was opened and its contents were washed out and inner epithelial lining was discarded. The heart was made free from blood and adhering vessels. The eviscerated and drawn weights were recorded and their percentages were calculated. Similarly weight of giblets (heart, liver and gizzard) was recorded after washing and bloating, and giblet yield (percentage of live weight) was also calculated.

Relative cost of production was calculated at the end of sixth week. The cost of production included the cost of chick survived and the cost of feed consumed among the treatments to know which dietary supplementation was more profitable.

Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis as per Snedecor and Cochran (1994) using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The mean differences among different treatments were separated by Duncan's multiple range tests. Consequently, a level of (P<0.05) was used as the criterion for statistical significance (Duncan, 1955).

The carcass characteristics of broilers reared under different treatments, recorded at 42 days of age, is presented in Table 2. There was significant difference among treatments regarding different carcass characteristics such as drawn percentage, eviscerated percentage and giblet percentage. However, dressing percentage was statistically non-significant (P<0.05). The mean values of dressing percentage, drawn percentage, eviscerated percentage and giblets percentage ranged from 74.33 (T0) to 75.89 (T7), 65.85 (T0) to 69.19 (T7), 60.43 (T0) to 62.90 (T7) and 5.42 (T0) to 6.32 (T2), respectively. The mean values of drawn percentage, eviscerated percentage and giblet percentage of birds in T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7 were significantly better than T1.

Table 2: Effect of phytogenic mixture on mean carcass characteristics of broiler meat in winter season

Values are means ±standard errors; Means bearing different superscripts, differ significantly (P<0.05) row wise.

The results of present study are comparable to that of Singh et al. (2007) reported improved giblet weights in broilers fed diets with amla, turmeric powder and their combination. Al-Kassie et al. (2011) observed no significant difference between treatments and control group in dressing percentage when fed mixture cumin and turmeric at the rate of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1% in broiler diet.

In contrast, Findings of Singh et al. (2007) reported improved dressing percentage in broilers fed diets with amla, turmeric powder and their combination. Kurkure et al. (2002) stated that dressing per cent and liver per cent on live weight were better in herbal premix fed group having amla as an integral part. Godara (2012) reported that supplementation of Ashwagandha (1%) and Probiotic (0.05%) during hot weather resulted in no significant difference between the treatments regarding carcass characteristics.

The cost of production of broilers, considering the cost of chicks and feed consumed up to six weeks of age, reared under different treatments is presented in Table 3. At the start of experiment there were thirty-six birds in each treatment group. The cost of chicks was calculated on the basis of birds survived at the end of experiment under each treatment. The initial cost of one-day-old broiler chicks was ' 40.00 per chick and ' 50 per chick during winter and summer season respectively. This cost raised to the tune of 43.64 (T0), 42.35(T1), and 41.14 (T3) in winter season and 54.54 (T0 & T1) and 51.43 (T4) in summer season respectively. Feed cost was calculated to be ' 30.19 per kg of feed during winter and summer season. Phytogenic mixture comprising of Amla, Ashwagandha and Turmeric were purchased @ of ' 200/Kg, ' 500/Kg and ' 120/Kg respectively. The total cost of production of birds up to six weeks of age, based upon the cost of chicks, cost of feed consumption as well as cost of phytogenic mixture consumed up to this age, ranged from ' 133.38 (T5) to 148.95 (T4) and 150.51 (T5) to 165.27 (T4) in winter and summer season respectively. The cost per kilogram of live weight in winter and summer season and ranged from ' 77.63 (T5) to 90.38 (T0) and ' 92.53 (T2) to 113.24 (T0), respectively. The cost per kilogram of drawn weight in winter and summer season and ranged from ' 114.65 (T5) to 137.25 (T0) and ' 133.8 (T2) to 171.78 (T0), respectively. The effect of supplementation of phytogenic mixture depicted that the cost of production of drawn weight ('/ kg) at six weeks of age was reduced as much as ' 11.01 (T5),' 10.23 (T2),' 9.48 (T7 ) and ' 0.01 (T6) as compared to T1 (control) in winter season. The corresponding values for cost of production of drawn weight ('/kg) in summer season were reduced as much as ' 22.25 (T2), ' 17.26 (T7), ' 16.39 (T5), ' 13.79 (T6), ' 10.89 (T3), and ' 3.41 (T4).

Table 3: Cost of production of broilers under different treatments at the end of experiment during winter season

The results of present study are comparable to that of Jadhav et al. (2008) who concluded that dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha root powder and ascorbic acid was economical as the net profit per bird was higher with supplementation. Chaudhary et al. (2015) concluded that the supplementation of herbal mixture (Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis and Nigella sativa) at 1% level in broiler diet resulted in better economic return and this mixture could be used as a phytobiotic in place of antibiotic feed additives in broiler.

The authors are thankful to Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana for providing necessary funds and facilities for smooth conduct of this research.

From the results of present investigation it can be concluded that addition of 0.5 % amla and 0.5 % Ashwagandha with 0.25% or 0.125 % turmeric powder can be a promising alternative to antibiotics growth promoter in poultry ration for improving the carcass characteristics of broilers. Besides this, such ration was found more economical in comparison to that having antibiotic growth promoters.

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