F. R. Durrani’s research while affiliated with The University of Agriculture, Peshawar and other places

This study was conducted to assess the performance of broiler chickens based on some hematological and immunological profile, upon inclusion of aqueous extract of Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) in their drinking water. For this purpose, 240 a-day-old broiler chicks were purchased from a local hatchery and divided into four groups i.e. WST-0, WST-I, WST-II and WST-III. Group WST-0 was kept as control, while chicks in group WST-I, WST-II and WST-III were offered in their drinking water with an extract of W. somnifera at 10, 20 and 30g/L for 35 days, starting from day 1 of age. Feed intake and body weight were recorded on regular basis and hematological and immunological profile of the birds was analyzed at the end of experiment. Administration of W. somnifera extract resulted in significantly higher feed intake and body weight of birds in all treated groups. An increase in the values of Hb, PCV and TLC was noted in the treatment groups. A non significant difference was noted in the counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes in all treatment groups as compared to control. Antibodies titers against IB and IBD were significantly higher in all treatment groups as compare to the values shown by the chicks in control group. Findings of this study indicated that administration of W. somnifera extract to broiler chicks improve their feed intake, body weight gain, hematological profile and immunological status. ©2011 PVJ. All rights reserved To Cite This Article: Mushtaq M, FR Durrani, N Imtiaz, U Sadique, A Hafeez, S Akhtar and S Ahmad, 2012. Effect of administration of Withania somnifera on some hematological and immunological profile of broiler chicks. Pak Vet J, 32(1): 70-72.

Aflatoxin-contaminated feed cause mortality, suppression of the immune system, reduced growth rates and losses in feed efficiency. This research study was planned to investigate the immunomodulatory and growth promoting effect of milk thistle as feed additive against aflatoxin B_1 in broiler chicks at NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan. Two hundred and forty (240) day old broilers chicks were randomly assigned into four major groups AfF, aflatoxin free feed; Aflatoxin B_1 was present in the feed at the levels of 80-520 ?g/kg of the feed in the remaining three groups. Aflatoxin contaminated feed was provided for 5 weeks. Group AfB was supplemented with toxin binder "Mycoad" at 3 g/kg of feed and group AfT was supplemented with milk thistle at10 g/kg of feed. Each group was further sub divided into two sub-groups, vaccinated against ND (Newcastle disease), IB (Infectious bronchitis) and IBD (Infectious bursal diseases) according to recommended schedule of vaccination or non vaccinated. Each sub group carried three replicates with 10 chicks per replicate. Chicks were reared in pens in an open sided house. Supplementary heat was provided to all the chicks during brooding period. Mean body weight gain and dressing percentage were significantly (p in the feed.

The research study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different schedules of administration of medicinal plants infusion of aloe vera gel, barbery, garlic and ginger on hematology and serum biochemistry of broilers chicks. For this purpose 240, day old broilers chick (A) purchased were from a local dealer, divided in to four groups A, B, C and D and reared in separate pens for 35 days in an open sided house. These groups were divided into two vaccinated and non-vaccinated sub-groups for the different treatments. Each sub group was carrying three replicate (10 chicks/replicate). Group A was kept as control, while B, C and D were given infusion @ 10 ml/lit of water. The schedule was designated as the group B received infusion at alternate day, group C received infusion on alternate three days in a week and group D received infusion at alternate week. Relevant data was recorded throughout the experiment till the termination of experiment. Significant increase in hemoglobin concentration, PCV and total leukocyte count (TLC) was observed in group C. Significant reduction was recorded in ALT and ALP in group B, while AST and serum glucose in group C and increased in serum protein was found in group B. Decreased (p<0.05) total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, and increased HDL (p<0.05) were experienced in group B. Comparing the values of risk ratio of, VLDL to HDL, Total cholesterol to HDL and LDL to HDL were found significantly lower in group B, while total cholesterol to VLDL was found significantly lower in group C. It is concluded that schedule on the basis receiving infusion three days in a week is more potent than other schedule of research study.

A project was planned to study the effect of feeding powdered seeds of Cannabis sativa on the carcass quality of broiler chicks. A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks of equal weight were randomly divided into four equal groups A, B, C and D. Each group was further divided into four replicates with 10 chicks in each replicate. Dried crushed Cannabis sativa seeds were added to the feed of groups B, C and D at the rate of 5, 10 and 20% of offered feed respectively, while group A served as a control. The studied parameters were body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing percentage, mortality and economics. After an experimental period of 42 days, the data were analyzed statistically. It was revealed from the results that body weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05), while feed intake was significantly lower (P<0.05), in group D compared to the control. FCR was significantly better in birds of group D compared to controls. Differences in dressing percentage and mortality were non significant between the treated and control groups. Return per chick (in rupees) was significantly higher in group D compared to groups A and B (P<0.05). It was concluded from these results that seeds of Cannabis sativa have remarkable impact on growth of broiler chicks and can help in alleviating feed expenditure incurred on raising broiler chicks.

This paper describes the effect of Cannabis sativa seeds on growth performance of muscle and abdominal organs of broiler chicks. Total 160 broiler chicks (one day old) of equal weight were purchased from the local market and were randomly divided into four groups A, B, C and D. Each group having 40 chicks were further distributed into four replicates. Dried crushed seeds of Cannabis sativa seeds were added to the feed of group B, C and D at the rate of 5, 10, and 20% of offered feed respectively while group A served as a control. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The studied parameters included weight of breast, thigh, leg, liver, gizzard, intestines, heart and abdominal fat. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Breast and leg weight were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group D. It was also revealed from the data that weight of liver, gizzard, intestines and abdominal fat were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group D, however, heart weight was non significant. It was concluded from these results that Cannabis sativa seeds have remarkable impact on weight of muscles and visceral organs in broilers which is always desirable in poultry industry.

A research study was conducted to find the effect of Zingiber officinale, Carum apticum, withania somnifera, Trigonella Foenum Graecum, Silybum marianum, Allium sativum and Berberis lyceum, on the growth performance of broiler chicks. A total of 240 day old chicks were purchased and were reared for 35 days in summer month. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Total numbers of chicks were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) each having 60 chicks. Each group was further subdivided into three groups (replicates) each having 20 chicks. Aqueous extract of these plants was mixed at the rate of 5, 10 and 15 ml/lit with water offered to group B, C and D, respectively while group A served as a control. Mean weight gain, dressing percentage, breast weight and leg weight were significantly high (P

The study was conducted at university poultry farm at NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan to evaluate the overall performance of broiler chicks, reared on three different types of locally available bedding materials, including sawdust, sand and wheat straw. The experiment lasted for 35 days. The starter ration was offered to the birds for the first three weeks, while during the last two weeks, the birds were reared on the finisher ration. Differences in average weight gain, feed consumption, FCR, mortality and dressing percentage for sawdust, sand and wheat straw were found non-significant (P>0.05). The moisture content increased from 13.07 to 46.55 % in sawdust, 1.75 to 18.89% in sand and 6.81 to 41.48 % in wheat straw during the trial. Sawdust contained significantly (P<0.05) higher moisture content followed by wheat straw and sand. Mean water absorbing ability, independently determined for sawdust, sand and wheat straw was 246.00, 152.00 and 180.67 %, respectively. The cost of litter for rearing 1 chick was Rs.2.76, 1.75 and 0.75 for sawdust, sand and wheat straw respectively. (1US $ = Rs.60). It was concluded that any of these three bedding materials may be used. However, sand (having less cake formation than wheat straw) is recommended as a safe and economical replacement as litter for sawdust. Effect of different types of locally available litter materials on the performance of broiler chicks. Sarhad J. Agric. 25(4): 581-586.

The purpose of this research work was to evaluate the seed extract (aqueous) on the visceral organs of broiler chicks. One hundred and sixty, day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments A, B, C and D. Each treatment was replicated four times with ten chicks per replicate. Group A, B, C received the aqueous extract of Fenugreek @ 10, 20 and 30 ml/L, respectively while group D served as a control. Chicks were reared in cages (3 × 4 feet) in an open sided house. Data were recorded for. Statistical analyses were conducted, using Completely Randomized Design and MSTATC programme. Liver weight was not significant in any group, however, it was higher in group B and C. Gizzard weight though did not increased however, in treated group it was higher than control. In contrast intestines weight was higher in control group as compared to treated groups. It was concluded from this study that aqueous extract of Fenugreek has amply good effect on the weight on visceral organs which are second to none in importance in both taste and popularity among the people.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of feed added black seed (Nigella sativa L.) on the overall performance and immunity of broiler chicks at NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar in May 2005. Four experimental rations designated as A, B, C and D having black seed at the rate of 0, 20, 30 and 40 g kg(-1) feed were fed to 160 broiler chicks, randomly distributed into 16 replicates, so as to have 4 replicates per group and 10 chicks per replicate. The experiment was lasted for 35 days. Average weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, dressing percentage, weight of different body organs (breast, thigh, intestine), giblets (liver, gizzard), abdominal fat weight, antibody titer against ND, IB and IBD were used as criteria of response. Economics for each group was calculated at the end of experimental period. It was found that group D receiving 40 g kg(-1) of black seed in the feed had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on mean body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage and weight of different body organs (breast and thigh). Non significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed in gizzard, intestine, weight of abdominal fat and feed cost. Antibody titer against ND and IBD were higher in group D, however high antibody titer against IB was recorded in group C. Return per unit of feed cost and gross return were significantly (p < 0.05) effected by group D.