Influence of Dietary Herbal Liver Tonic on Growth, Performance, and Health Status of Broiler Chicks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.2.3.42Keywords:
Herbal liver tonic, Broiler chicks, Growth performance, Feed conversion ratio, Poultry nutrition, Natural growth promoterAbstract
The increasing restriction on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production has encouraged the exploration of natural alternatives that can enhance growth performance while maintaining bird health. Herbal liver tonics, formulated from medicinal plant extracts, have gained attention due to their hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and digestive stimulant properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of an herbal liver tonic on the growth performance, feed efficiency, and overall health status of broiler chicks. A total of day-old broiler chicks was randomly allocated into control and treatment groups. The control group was fed a basal diet without supplementation, while the treatment group received the basal diet supplemented with an herbal liver tonic at a recommended dose throughout the experimental period. Growth performance parameters such as body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were recorded at regular intervals.
In addition, survivability and general health conditions of the birds were monitored to assess the overall impact of supplementation. The results demonstrated that broiler chicks receiving the herbal liver tonic showed a significant improvement in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Feed intake remained comparable between groups, indicating improved nutrient utilization in the supplemented birds. The enhanced performance may be attributed to improved liver function, better digestion and absorption of nutrients, and the bioactive compounds present in the herbal formulation. Moreover, birds in the treatment group exhibited better liveability and reduced signs of metabolic stress, suggesting a positive influence on physiological well-being. In conclusion, supplementation of herbal liver tonic in broiler diets positively influenced growth performance and feed efficiency without adverse effects. The findings suggest that herbal liver tonics can serve as a safe, natural, and effective alternative to synthetic growth promoters in broiler production systems. Further studies are recommended to explore the underlying mechanisms and economic feasibility under commercial farming conditions.
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