Since usage of antibiotics is forbidden owing to their residual effects and also development of resistance strains, a number of scientists have been considering the development of a novel class of feed additives derived from medicinal herbs. These feed additives possessing antibiotic, antistress general tonic and immunostimulatory qualities Therefore, present research trail was undertaken in a completely randomized design to study the effect of ashwagandha root powder on growth performance of broiler chicken. A total of 120-day-old chicks were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments with 30 birds in each. The treatments were: T0 as control fed with basal diet without supplementation of ashwagandha root powder and T1, T2 and T3 fed basal diet with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% ashwagandha root powder, respectively. The data on body weight and feed consumption were recorded weekly, from which gain in body weight and feed conversion ratio were calculated. The results showed thatsignificantly (P<0.05) higher body weight and weekly weight gain were in T2 (1.0 % Ashwagandha root powder) treatment groupalong with better feed efficiency. The treatment T2 (1.00% ashwagandha root powder) had superior feed conversion ratio than the other treatment groups. It can be concluded that supplementation of 1% Ashwagandha root powder is beneficial for better feed efficiency and growth of broilers.

Body weight gain, FCR, Broiler, Feeding, Ashwagandha

From the findings of study, it is concluded that inclusion of 1.0 per cent of ashwagandha root powder in diet of broiler is beneficial in improving the body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and also have better feed conversion ratio.

Pallavi Mali, V.S. Lawar, D.K. Deokar, S.B. Adangale, D.K. Kamble and P.S. Sakhare (2023). Growth Performance of Broiler Fed Diet Containing Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Powder. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 381-385.