Author(s): Arjit Anil, Dinesh Jain, RK Dhuria and Umesh Kumar Prajapat

Abstract: The goal of this study was to investigate the use of Arjuna Bark Powder (Terminalia arjuna) in broiler rations as a feed additive on dry-matter (DM) metabolizability, retention of nitrogen and comparative economics of broilers in arid region of Rajasthan. Total 150, day old broiler chicks (broiler strain Cobb-430) were used in experiment. Total five dietary treatment groups (T₁-T₅) were created and each treatment group had 3 replicates. The T₁ group was fed on basal diet without feed additive and kept as control. Whereas treatment groups (T₂-T₅) were supplemented with graded levels (@ 0.50%, 0.75%, 1% and 1.25%) of Arjuna Bark Powder (Terminalia arjuna) in the broiler ration, respectively. In the end for duration of 5 days using 6 broiler chicks from each group, a metabolic trial also conducted. The findings revealed that the supplementation of Arjuna Bark Powder at graded levels did not bring any significant outcome on dry-matter metabolizability of feed and nitrogen retention but numerically higher DM metabolizability and nitrogen retention was observed in herb supplemented groups than control. However, it did bring substantial (p<0.05) drop in the total cost of feed/kg body weight gain as compare to control and highest drop in total cost of feed/kg body weight gain was found in T₄ i.e., 9.26% reduction.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i1Sj.414