author(s)
Ramesh Kumar, Devender Singh Bidhan, Ravi Kumar, Vikramjeet Singh, Suresh Kumar Chhikara and Harish Kumar Gulati

abstract
The present study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of Shatavari on the energy efficiency ratio (EER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), performance index (P.I) and production number (P.N) of broiler chicken. Two hundred and twenty-five, day old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 5 treatments with 3 replicates, each consisting of 15 chicks. 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. The results revealed that PER and EER values of broilers at 21^st and 35^th day remained significantly better (P<0.05) in T₃ as compared to T₄ and T₅ treatments. At 42^nd day, PER and EER values showed that treatment T₃ was significantly differ (P<0.05) from treatment T₁, T₄ and T₅. The mean P.I values of broilers at 21^st day, were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T₃ treatment as compared to T₄ and T₅ treatments. At 28^th day, mean P.I value of T₃ treatment was significantly higher (P<0.05) than T₅ treatment. At 35^th day, treatment T₃ was significantly differ (P<0.05) from T₄ and T₅, also significant difference was observed between treatments T₂ and T₅. At 42^nd day, the trend in effect on mean P.I values were similar and treatment T₃ was significantly differ from treatments T₁, T₂, T₄ and T₅. The mean P.N values of broilers at 42^nd day of the experiment were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T₃ treatment as compared to T₁, T₄ and T₅ treatments whereas non-significant difference was observed between T₁, T₂, T₄ and T₅ treatments.