The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Rauwolfia serpentina (sarpagandha) on productive performance of coloured broilers (n= 112, day-old) during the summer. Four dietary treatments were prepared by adding different levels of dried sarpagandha root powder (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% of diet) in broiler starter (0-3 wk) and finisher (3-6 wk) diets. The parameters like body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, immunity and oxidative stress were studied. No significant difference was observed in body weight gain at any growth phase. The feed intake was reduced (P<0.001) and FCR was improved (P<0.001) on addition of 0.1 per cent Sarpagandha. Dietary addition of Sarpagandha (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%) raises hemoglobin level compared to control. The Lipid peroxidase activity remained comparable but lower levels of reduced glutathione (P<0.05) and oxidative stress factor (P<0.05) were estimated in broilers fed diets with sarpagandha, being lowest at 0.3 per cent level. The H:L ratio did not differ significantly on addition of Sarpagandha root powder. Therefore, the results indicated that addition of Sarpagandha root powder in diet improved productive performance and humoral immune response of broilers during extreme summer.

Keyword: Coloured broiler; Rauwolfia serpentine; Immunity; Oxidative stress factor;