Effect of water based infusion of Aloe barbedensis, Pimpinella anisum, Berberis lycium, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Allium sativum on the performance of broiler chicks

Present study explored the potentials of infusion of medicinal plants (Aloe barbedensis, Pimpinella anisum, Berberis lycium, Trigonella foenum graecum, Allium sativum) mixture in broiler chicks at a ratio of 1:3:1:2:1, respectively. For this purpose 240 chicks were randomly assigned into four major groups, namely; A, B, C and D. Each group was further divided into two subgroups with three replicates of ten chicks each. One of the subgroups was vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND), Infectious bronchitis (IB) and Infectious bursal disease (IBD) according to locally adopted vaccination schedule keeping the other subgroup as non vaccinated control. Experimental birds in groups A, B, and C were provided with mentioned infusion @ 20, 10 and 5ml per litre of drinking water while group D was maintained as control. Relevant data were recorded throughout the experiment and or at the termination of the experiment and subjected to statistical analysis. Significantly lower (P less than 0.05) mean feed intake (3258.33 g) and better feed conversion ratio (1.87) was recorded in group A. Other parameters like weight gain (1739.74 g), antibody titer against Newcastle disease (7.1), Infectious bursal disease (3300.5) and high density lipoprotein (71.6 g/dl) were significantly increased (P less than 0.05) in chicks from group A. Similarly blood cholesterol (145.6 g/dl), trigyceride (145.8 g/dl) and low density lipoprotein (57.5 g/dl) were significantly reduced in group A. Overall vaccinated group had higher (P less than 0.05) antibody titer 7.2, 1796.2, 3202.8 against ND, IB and IBD, respectively compared to non-vaccinated group and had no influence on lipid profile. It was concluded that the infusion from the above plants in mentioned composition may not only be effectively used for improved broiler performance and better immunity but also to reduce the cholesterol level.