COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SCHEDULES OF ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS (ALLIUM SATIVUM, BERBERIS LYCIUM, ECLIPTA ALBA AND MANGIFERA INDICA) INFUSION ON THE IMMUNITY AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS

The research study was conducted at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan in June-July, 2010 to investigate and compare the effect of different schedules of administration of medicinal plants (Allium sativum, Berberis lycium, Eclipta alba and Mangifera indica) infusion on the immunity, serum biochemistry and overall performance of broiler chicks. A total of 240, day old broilers were obtained from the local commercial market and divided into four groups (namely; TI-0D, TI-1D, TI-2D and TI-3D). Group TI-0D was given infusion on daily bases while group TI-1D, TI-2D and TI-3D received infusion on alternate day, alternate two days and alternate three days respectively, at the rate of 50 ml/L of water. These groups were further divided into two vaccinated and non vaccinated sub-groups, each sub group was carrying three replicates with ten chicks /replicate. The infusion was prepared by mixing 12.5 g of each plant/L of drinking water. Data was recorded on the performance and immunity of broiler chicks. Mean body weight gain, feed consumption, water intake, dressing percentage and feed conversion ratios were not altered among the groups (P>0.05). Bursa and spleen weights were least in the daily administered schedule and the highest at the alternate day administered schedule. However differences were not significant statistically. Significantly (P