Dietary supplementation of amla (Emblica officinalis) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) improves haematological profile and alleviates stress in broiler chickens

Abstract:

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) on the haematological profile and stress indicators of broiler chickens. A total of 288-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments with four replicates of nine birds each under a completely randomized design and reared for 42 days. The control group received a basal diet, whereas the remaining groups were supplemented with different levels and combinations of Shatavari root powder and Amla powder. Blood samples were collected on the 42nd day of the feeding trial and analysed for total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), heterophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage and heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratio. Dietary supplementation significantly (P<0.05) influenced all the haematological parameters studied. The highest TEC (2.623 × 10⁶/µL) and haemoglobin concentration (10.055 g/dL) were recorded in birds receiving 0.50% Shatavari supplementation (T₁). Heterophil percentage declined from 29.225% in the control group to a minimum value of 23.440% in birds receiving combined phytogenic supplementation, whereas lymphocyte percentage significantly (P<0.05) increased in the combined supplementation groups (66.71-67.18%) compared with the control group (62.29%). The H/L ratio, a reliable indicator of chronic stress, was markedly reduced from 0.469 in the control group to 0.348 in birds receiving combined phytogenic supplementation. Combined phytogenic supplementation improved stress resilience, as evidenced by reduced heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and enhanced lymphocyte percentages, thereby supporting the use of Amla and Shatavari as natural feed additives for improving bird welfare and promoting sustainable poultry production.