Research On Animal Production

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   A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of drinking thyme essence on growth performance and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total number of 500 one day old Ross-308 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 4 treatments at 5 replicates using a CRD design. Diets were similar with respect of energy, protein and other nutrients for all treatments. Treatments arranged as different levels of drinking thyme essence including: plane water (control group) and levels of 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 percent of drinking thyme essence. Growth performance traits and blood parameters were measured. Blood samples obtained from two birds in each pen at 21 and 42 days of age. According to the results, the highest total live weight (2.18 kg) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.99) belonged to group containing of 0.2 % dietary thyme essence. With increasing thyme essence, at 21 and 42 days serum total cholesterol and triglyceride decreased, but glucose concentration was significantly increased (p<0.05). The highest total serum protein concentration was 41.52 g/lit for the level of 0.1% at 21 days. For all thyme essence treatments albumin concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher compare to the control group. Serum globulin concentration at 42 days was significantly (p<0.05) different at the level of 0.1 % compare to the control group. The albumin to globulin ratio only at 21 days of age was significantly (p<0.05) higher in all groups compared to control group.  As a final result, inclusion of thyme essence in drinking water of broiler chickens improved performance traits and  blood parameters.
                                     

Keywords: Broilers, Blood parameters, Drinking thyme essence, Performance traits

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