Dietary supplementation of amla (Emblica officinalis) and shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) for improved growth performance in commercial broiler chickens

India’s rich traditional heritage includes the widespread use of Ayurvedic medicine for its therapeutic benefits in both human and animal health. This study evaluated the effects of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari root powder, SRP) and Emblica officinalis (Amla powder, AP) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and economic viability in broiler chickens. A total of 288-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight treatment groups (four replicates of nine chicks each). The control group (T0) received a basal diet, while the other treatments were supplemented with varying levels of SRP and AP. Results demonstrated that SRP and AP supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved body weight gain, reduced feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR), and enhanced nutrient retention (dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract) compared to the control. Economically, SRP and AP inclusion lowered feed costs and increased net profit. The study concludes that supplementing broiler diets with 0.5 g/kg of SRP + AP is a cost-effective strategy for enhancing productivity in poultry farming.