The aim of this work was to compare the efficacy of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) and exogenous enzyme supplementation on the economic efficiency and cost of production of broiler chickens. Day-old chicks of Cobb 400Y (n=300) were distributed randomly into six groups of 50 chicks each, which were further subdivided into five replicates of ten chicks each. These six groups fed a basal diet without any supplement (NCON), or that supplemented with an antibiotic (PCON), herbal powder mixture (PHY), enzyme mixture (ENZ), the combination of 1% herbal mixture with the enzyme (PHE₁) and combination of 2% herbal mixture with the enzyme (PHE₂) respectively. The effect of these supplements on economic efficiency and cost of production was assessed in a six-week study. Feed productivity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in PHE₁, PHE₂, PCON, PHY and ENZ than NCON group. Cost productivity of PCON and 1% herbal mixture with enzyme (PHE₁) group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the NCON group. Benefit: cost ratio, profit index and return on investment were following the same trend, where PHE₁ group was significantly higher than the NCON group but almost similar to PCON group birds. The feed price ratio of PHE₁ and PHE₂ had significantly (P<0.05) higher value than NCON but similar to PCON group. The return on feed of PHE₁ group was highest than all treated groups but similar to PCON and PHE₂ group and significantly higher than NCON group. The break-even output percent of combination of 2% herbal mixture with enzyme (PHE₂) group was significantly higher than NCON, and lowest was of the PCON group. Feed cost per kg body weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in NCON followed by PHE₂, PHY, ENZ, PCON and PHE₁. Feed cost per kg body weight gain of PHE₁ was similar to PCON group. Economic efficiency index percent was significantly higher in all treated groups than NCON group highest in PHE₁ which was similar to PCON. Cost index (CI) percent of NCON group was significantly higher than all treated group. Profitability percent of PCON group was highest than all other groups but almost similar to PHE₁ and PHE₂ group and significantly (P<0.05) lower than NCON group. The Economic efficiency (EE) of antibiotic, the combination of 1% herbal mixture with the enzyme (PHE₁) and combination of 2% herbal mixture with the enzyme (PHE₂) fed group was significantly higher than NCON and PHY group. So, it can be concluded that a combination of 1% herbal mixture with enzyme (PHE₁) feed additives in broilers feed can be an effective alternative of antibiotic growth promoters.

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