Evaluation of Emblica officinalis fruit powder as a growth promoter in commercial broiler chickens

AIM: The present study was conducted to evaluate the dietary addition of Emblica officinalis (Amla) fruit powder as a growth promoter in commercial broiler chickens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experiment was conducted on 135 commercial broiler chicks (Ven-Cobb 400 strain) divided into three groups with three replicates of 15 chicks each. Three treatment groups were as follows – T(1): Basal diet as per BIS standards; T(2): Basal diet supplemented with 0.4% of E. officinalis fruit powder; and T(3): Basal diet supplemented with 0.8% of E. officinalis fruit powder. RESULTS: The average body weights at the end of the 6(th) week were significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups T(2) and T(3) compared to group T(1). Feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg live weight production were similar among the treatment groups. The net profit per bird was the highest in group T(2) (Rs. 19.22/bird) followed by group T(3) (Rs. 17.86/bird) and the lowest in group T(1) (Rs. 14.61/bird). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, it was concluded that dietary addition of E. officinalis (Amla) fruit powder had a positive effect on growth performance and net profit per bird in commercial broiler chickens.