Effect of Supplementation of Herbal Antistress Product and Synthetic Vitamin C on performance of broiler birds under physiological heat Stress

Abstract

An experiment was carried out on 135 day old Vencob straight run commercial broiler chicks for a period of 42 days (6 weeks). The chicks were randomly divided into three groups (n=45) of three replicates each. Untreated control group (T₀) was fed standard basal diet without any supplement, treatment group T₁ was supplemented with Ayucee premix at the rate of 100gm/tonne of feed from 0-42 days and treatment group T₂ supplemented with synthetic ascorbic acid@100g/tonne of feed. Record of temperature were maintained on daily basis with mean maximum daily temperature of 39±2°C, relative humidity (RH) 82.57 ± 1.40 % (Recorded twice daily at a fixed time by hygrometer). Ayucee premix is a polyherbal formulation containing natural vitamin C and bioflavonoids, scientifically well known for their anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging activities. The mean live body weight (gm) at 6^th week was significantly (P<0.05) improved in Ayucee supplemented group T₁ birds (2503.66) as compared to control group (2385) and varied non significantly from synthetic ascorbic acid supplemented group T₂ birds (2527.16). FCR on 42^nd day was significantly (P<0.05)  better in Ayucee supplemented group T₁ birds (2.08) than synthetic ascorbic acid supplemented group T₂ birds (2.12) and control group (2.25). Hematological and biochemical parameters, which were altered under stressful conditions, also improved in Ayucee supplemented group T₁ birds.