Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr
2 3. Department of Animal Sciences, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran
3 3. Department of Animal Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr
Abstract
Objective: The use of growth-promoting antibiotics has been completely banned in European Union countries since January 2006 due to the development of bacterial resistance, the presence of chemical residues in chicken meat, and their side effects on humans. TCinnamon, scientifically known as Cinnamonum zeylanicum, is a medicinal plant with anti-flatulent, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral properties, and aids in digestion. Cinnamon has antibacterial properties due to its active ingredients, including cinnamaldehyde, and then eugenol and carvacrol. Thyme, scientifically known as Thymus vulgaris L, contains active ingredients including carvacrol and thymol, and has attracted attention due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Clove, scientifically known as Caryophillium aromaticus and belonging to the Myrtaceae family, has eugenol as its active ingredient, which makes up about 90 percent of clove oil. Turmeric, derived from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma Longa, contains the highest amount of curcuminoids, a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. There is abundant evidence and scientific studies showing that plant extracts stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, maintain the microbial ecosystem balance in the gut, and thereby improve performance in broiler chicks.
Method: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a mixture of hydroalcoholic plant extracts on the performance, quantitative and qualitative traits of carcass, some blood parameters, antioxidant activity, and antibody titers in broiler chicks using 240 one-day-old male chicks of Ross 308 strain with an average weight of 44±2 grams in a completely randomized design with four treatments, six replications, and 10 chicks per replication over 42 days. The experimental treatments included 1- control group (no hydroalcoholic extract mixed in drinking water), 2-treatment containing one liter of hydroalcoholic extract in 1000 liters of drinking water, 3-treatment containing two liters of hydroalcoholic extract in 1000 liters of drinking water, and 4-treatment containing three liters of hydroalcoholic extract in 1000 liters of drinking water.
Results: The performance results showed that in the starter, finisher, and total periods, the treatment with a mixture of herbal hydroalcoholic extract at a level of one liter in 1000 liters of drinking water and the treatment with a mixture of herbal hydroalcoholic extract at a level of two liters in 1000 liters of drinking water had the highest feed consumption compared to other treatments (p<0.05). In the grower period, the treatment with a mixture of herbal hydroalcoholic extract at a level of one liter in 1000 liters of drinking water had the lowest feed conversion ratio compared to other treatments. There were significant differences in traits such as dressing percentage, breast percentage, thigh percentage, meat pH, malondialdehyde concentration, and cooking loss between the experimental treatments (p<0.05). The results of some blood parameters and serum antioxidant status showed that there were significant differences in glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, total protein, albumin, ALT, ALP, and catalase concentrations between the experimental treatments (p<0.05). In the results of antibody titer status, the treatment with a mixture of herbal hydroalcoholic extract at a level of one liter in 1000 liters of drinking water and the treatment with a mixture of herbal hydroalcoholic extract at a level of two liters in 1000 liters of drinking water had the highest antibody titer against infectious bronchitis compared to other treatments.
Conclusion: Based on the current results, the use of one liter of hydroalcoholic extract improves body weight and increases antibody titer levels, and the use of two liters of hydroalcoholic extract in 1000 liters of drinking water is recommended for improving feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and quantitative traits of broiler chickens under the conditions of this experiment.
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