Effect of dietary supplementation of garlic and onion on growth performance of Kadaknath chickens

Abstract

This investigation was conducted in Shahjahanpur district Uttar Pradesh to evaluate how dietary addition of onion (Allium cepa)and garlic (Allium sativum) influences growth traits, feed intake, feed efficiency, and mortality in Kadaknath chickens. A total of 240 chicks were allotted to four feeding groups: T1 (control), T2 (basal diet + 1% garlic powder), T3 (basal diet + 2% onion powder), and T4 (basal diet + 1% garlic + 1% onion powder). Each treatment included six replications of ten birds and was managed under a Randomized Block Design for 12 weeks. Weekly observations on body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were recorded and analyzed. Results revealed a consistent improvement in body weight among supplemented groups, with T4 producing the highest weights at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Feed intake increased in all supplemented treatments, particularly in T3 and T4. Although feed conversion ratio did not differ significantly, T4 showed slightly better efficiency. Mortality was highest in the control group and lowest in the combination group (T4), highlighting the health-promoting effects of the supplements. Overall, the combined inclusion of onion and garlic enhanced growth, feed utilization, and survivability in Kadaknath chickens, suggesting that these natural additives can serve as cost-effective alternatives to synthetic growth promoters in rural poultry systems.