Comparative profitability of supplementation of vitamin C, vitamin E and organic chromium and its combination in Narmadanidhi birds during summer season

Abstract

The current investigation aimed to evaluate the economic viability of supplementing vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, organic chromium, and their combinations in Narmadanidhi birds reared under summer stress conditions. A total of 240 day-old, coloured dual-purpose Narmadanidhi chicks were randomly assigned to 12 dietary treatments, with each group consisting of 20 chicks in two replicates. Birds were housed in individual pens and managed under a deep litter system. Starter and finisher diets were formulated and offered from 0–6 weeks and 7–12 weeks of age, respectively. The dietary treatments included: C0 (control), C1 (150 mg/kg ascorbic acid), C2 (250 mg/kg ascorbic acid), E1 (125 mg/kg vitamin E), E2 (200 mg/kg vitamin E), Cr1 (1.25 mg/kg chromium propionate), Cr2 (2.0 mg/kg chromium propionate), and combination groups: C2E1, C2E2, C2Cr1, C2Cr2, and C2E1Cr2. Body weight gain and feed intake were recorded for three phases: 0–6 weeks, 7–12 weeks, and the overall 0–12 weeks. Based on the feed consumption and prevailing market prices, cost per kg of feed and total feeding cost per bird were calculated for each period. Subsequently, the income from bird sales and gross profit over feeding cost were estimated. Results revealed that the C2Cr1 group achieved the highest gross profit per bird (?44.20) and per kg live weight (?35.08) compared to all other treatments. The next most profitable group was C2E1Cr2. Among the single supplement groups, C2, E2, and Cr2 outperformed their lower-level counterparts (C1, E1, Cr1) in terms of both profit per bird and per kg live weight. In conclusion, supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, and organic chromium, particularly the combination C2Cr1, significantly improved the economic return in Narmadanidhi birds under summer stress conditions.