Effect of Shatavari (asparagus Racemosus) Supplementation on Carcass Characteristics and Proximate Composition of Broiler Chicken Meat

Two hundred and twenty-five, day old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 5 treatments with 3 replicates, each consisting of 15 broilers to study the effect of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) supplementation on the carcass characteristics and proximate composition of broiler chicken meat. The chicks were fed with standard basal diets in three different growth phases i.e. pre-starter (0-7day), starter (8-21day) and finisher (22–42 day). The treatments included the control group (T1 basal diet) and four groups with basal diet mixed with Shatavari powder @ 0.5% (T2), @ 1% (T3), 1.5% (T4) and @ 2% (T5) in feed, respectively. At the end of the experiment 9 birds per treatment (three from each replicate) were randomly selected. The birds were kept off feed for 12 hours prior to their sacrifice, but water was given ad libitum. Weight of the birds, before and after fasting, was recorded. Carcass yield of broilers did not differ significantly among various treatment groups. The mean value for dressing percentage, drawn percentage, eviscerated percentage and giblet percentage varied and were comparable among the different treatment groups. The meat bone ratios also had non-significant differences among different treatments. In thigh as well as breast portion moisture, protein, fat and ash values were non-significantly differ.