Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Gooseberry/ Amla (Emblica officinalis) Powder on the Performance of Commercial Broiler Chicken

Abstract

A total of 180 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups consisting of 45 numbers, sub divided into 3 replicates consisting of 15 chicks in each sub group. The chicks underT0, T1, T2 and T3 groups were fed amla powder at the rate of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% in the feed, respectively. The experiment was conducted for a period of six weeks and per cent livability was found to be cent per cent. The total feed consumption per broiler was found to be highest in T3 group (3694.77g) and the lowest in T0 group (3679.46g). At 6 weeks of age, the body weight per broiler was highest in T3 group (2087.56±29.10g) and T2 group (2074.44±17.00g) gained significantly (P<0.05) higher body weights as compared to T1 (2070.44±11.88g) and T0 (2012.13±20.45g). The overall FCR was best in T3 group (1.76), followed by T2 (1.77), T1 (1.78) and T0 (1.82) groups. The cost of production per broiler was highest in T3 (INR 201.32) and lowest in T0 (INR 197.99) groups. Similarly, gross profit was found to be highest in T3 group (INR 17.18) and lowest in T0 (INR 13.06) groups. From the results obtained it can be concluded that amla powder can be used effectively and economically as natural feed additive at the rate of 0.75% to improve the overall performance of the broiler chicken.