Aswagantha (Withania somnifera) churnam supplementation in feed on production parameters, serum lipid and liver enzyme profile of desi fowl

Abstract

This study was conducted to record the effect of Aswagantha (Withania somnifera) churnam supplementation in feed on production parameters, serum lipid and liver enzyme profile of desi fowl. The experiment was conducted for a period of 4 months in 150 desi fowl (Namakkal Chicken I). The chicks were divided into three treatment groups containing 2 replicates in each group except control group. The dietary treatments included Group 1 (Control) without any herbal supplementation, Group 2 - 1.0% and Group 3 with 0.5% ashwagandha churnam. Results showed that supplementation of 0.5 percent aswagantha churnum in the feed increased body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and majority of the lipid biochemical profile and higher concentration of aswagantha churnum (1 percent) increased the burden on liver function. So supplementing 0.5 percent aswagantha churnam is beneficial for the increasing body weight and to reduce the blood cholesterol and triglycerides in desi fowl.