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Subject: Animal Science × Author: Bhardwaj, Rohatash Kumar × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2004 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study on the efficacy of Satavari and Ashwagandha root powder supplementation on production, reproduction and carcass traits of Japanese quails
    (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2009-01) Bhardwaj, Rohatash Kumar; Singh, S.K.
    A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus root powder extracts on growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters of Japanese quails. The investigation was carried out on Japanese quails maintained at Instructional Poultry Farm, Pantnagar. All the managemental conditions were kept constant for the whole flock during the experimental period. The herbal extracts at different doses (@ 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent for both herbs) were administered in feed. Weekly body weight of the birds was recorded from day-old stage to 6 weeks of age. Blood was collected on 42nd day for estimation of haemato–biochemical parameters from the birds supplemented with Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus extracts. Inclusion of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus extracts stimulated the growth of the quails. Further, body weight and conformation traits viz shank, keel length and breast angle at 6th week was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in group which received @ 1.5 % than the other groups. The weekly feed intake (g) decreased (i.e. lowest FCR) on feeding of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus in quails. This indicated better feed utilization in root extract fed group than control group. Control group birds consumed more quantity of feed in comparison to other treated groups. It was found that during 1st week, only one bird died and subsequently no more death was observed. This could be attributed to good management and developed immune system due to Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus extract feeding. On supplementing root extracts of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus, best FCR, PI and BWG was found in root extract (@ 1.5 % fed and lowest in control at 6th week. Further, the best ASM, hatchability, fertility and egg weight was observed in treated groups in comparison to control. Among the treatments, group fed with root extract (@ 1.5% showed maximum edible weight which indicated good feed utilization. However, survivability was lower (96%) than the treated groups. The maximum haemoglobin was recorded in group which received root extract @ 1.5% and minimum in control group, which were found to differ significantly (P<0.05). The PCV, TEC and TLC values of root extract fed group differed significantly (P<0.05) with control group. Feeding of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus extracts showed a positive influence on TSP, albumin, AST, ALT and Immunoglobulin concentrations. It can be concluded that skin thickness and skin diameter was significantly higher in treated groups over the untreated, thus increasing the resistance against effect on a number of extraneous factor from physical, chemical and biological origin. Therefore, root extracts of both medicinal herbs is equally recommendable for poultry feeding, which will ultimately yield more economic profits and further can be exploited for organic food safety.