UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

In broiler chicken production, there is a critical need for sustainable feed supplements that can simultaneously improve growth performance, enhance meat quality, and increase profitability. To optimize broiler performance, this research examines potential synergies by combining two promising supplements, sweet potato leaf meal (SPLM) and multi-herbal extracts (MHE). The underlying hypothesis posits that combining SPLM in the diet and MHE in drinking water will improve broiler performance more than using either supplement alone. The experimental design involved broiler feed supplemented with SPLM ranging from 10 to 30 g/kg and water with MHE ranging from 0 to 10 mL/L, following a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement over 7-35 days. Growth parameters were assessed, including feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and final body weight. Carcass quality analyses quantified dressed weights, cutlet weights, and edible offal. Economic analysis was also conducted, focusing on return on investment (ROI). Results revealed that 10 mL/L MHE and 30 g/kg SPLM combination elicited the maximum weight gain, lowest FCR, and highest dressed weights. This observation confirmed a synergistic augmentation of growth and muscularity. Furthermore, the economic analysis demonstrated that 10mL/L MHE + 30g/Kg SPLM maximized the return on investment. The study highlights a unique interaction between the nutrients in SPLM and the phytochemicals in MHE. This potentially enhanced broiler productivity through complementary bioactive mechanisms, modulating digestion, immunity, and protein accretion. Further research is warranted to delve into the precise modes of action and validate the universal applicability of this synergistic approach across diverse production systems.