Effect of Different Stocking Density on Broiler Performance with and without Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Supplementation

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of different stocking density on performance of broilers with and without Ashwagandha supplementation.  Two hundred seventy-day-old, commercial broiler chicks (VenCobb Strain) were used for five week experiment. The birds were allocated randomly to six treatment groups: T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄, T₅, or T₆, each of which had 45 birds and then subdivided into three replications of 15 birds each replicate. Cheich was reared in deep litter system with free access to water and nourishment. The control (T₁)group had a basal diet with control space (1 sq. ft./bird), the T₂ group had a basal diet with 20% less space (0.8 sq. ft./bird), T₃ group had a basal diet with 20% more space (1.2 sq. ft./bird), while other treatment groups T₄, T₅ and T₆ having combinations such as control space (1 sq. ft./bird) with 1% Ashwagandha, 20% less space (0.8 sq. ft./bird) with 1% Ashwagandha, and 20% more space (1.2 sq. ft./bird) with 1% Ashwagandha, respectively. There were significant to a highly significant effect of different stocking densities on broiler performance during the fifth week on weekly body weight, average daily gain, feed consumption, and non-significant on FCR and broiler performance index (BPI). However, the effect of Ashwagandha was found significant to highly significant on broiler performance during the fifth week on weekly feed consumption, average daily gain, body weight, broiler performance index, and average feed conversion ratio. Supplementation of 1 % Ashwagandha reduces the stress of high stocking density and an increase in feed consumption, weight gain, reduces FCR, and ultimately affects the economics of broiler production. Hence present study recommends the addition of 1% Ashwagandha in the basal diet of broiler production to get more profit in commercial broiler farming.