Effect of Different Levels of Amla (Emblica officinalis) Fruit Powder Supplementation on the Production Performance of Broilers

Abstract

Natural fruits have the potential to substitute growth-promoting antioxidant properties, reducing pathogens, enhancing food utilization, gut health, and production performance. The current study aims to evaluate the dietary influence of Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit powder in various doses on broiler chicken production performance. A total of 120-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly selected into four treatment groups, each consisting of three replications of 10 birds: T0 (control diet), T1 (0.5% amla powder in feed), T2 (1% amla powder in feed) and T3 (1.5% amla powder in feed). Body weight gains, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality and carcass traits were recorded. Feed intake (g/bird) was almost similar (P>0.05) among the dietary groups. Body weight gain (g) and FCR were significantly (P<0.05) different among the dietary groups. The highest body weight gain (g) was (P<0.05) in T3 (1555.15g), followed by T2 (1503.04 g), T1 (1479.38g) and T0 (1318.68g), respectively. The lowest FCR was found in T3 (1.37) and the highest FCR in T0 (1.54), with the intermediate in T1 (1.41) and T2 (1.40), respectively. Dietary groups differed significantly (P<0.05) in carcass weight, live weight, thigh weight, breast weight, and other carcass parameters. Carcass weight in T3 (905.15g) and live weight in in T3 (1496.11g) were significantly (P < 0.05) different compared to control T0 (668.55g) and T0 (1160.52 g), respectively. Microbial loads (E. coli and Salmonella sp.) of faecal samples were significantly (P <0.05). No mortality was found among the dietary groups during the experimental period. The T3 group showed the best performances among all the groups and was recommended.