Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Herbs on Ileum of Broiler Birds

Abstract

Different herbs and spices have been used as feed additives for various purposes in poultry production. This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of feed supplemented with Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit powder, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf extract and Kalimusli (Curculigo orchioides) root powder on the performance of broilers. A total of 78 healthy broiler birds of Ross AP strain irrespective of their sex were used and divided into different groups. Herbal supplementation has significant effect on weight, length and width of ileum at all ages. The weight, length and width of ileum were maximum in group III followed by group II, group IV and group I at forty days broiler birds. Similarly, effect of herbal supplementation was significant on the microscopic structure of ileum like thickness of mucosa, height of villi and total wall thickness diameter of gland. It was concluded that dietary supplements with Kalimusli herb enhanced the performance and health status of broiler chickens.