1- Departement of Agricultural Sience, Ma. C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract: (21 Views)
Introduction and Objective: In the broiler poultry industry, achieving maximum growth performance and flock health has always been a major challenge. In the past, the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) was a common strategy to enhance performance and control diseases. However, with the prohibition of these antibiotics due to concerns over bacterial resistance and harmful residues in animal products, there is an urgent need to find natural and safe alternatives. Medicinal plants, owing to their bioactive compounds (such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds) with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, hold significant potential as natural growth promoters.The digestive system of poultry, as one of the most important systems of the body, plays a pivotal role in the absorption of nutrients and the rapid growth of chicks. Research has shown that the development and evolution of this system in the early days of life has a direct and significant impact on the final performance of the bird. In recent years, the use of food additives in poultry diets has expanded with the aim of improving digestion and absorption processes, increasing growth efficiency, and strengthening the immune system. Antibiotics have been used as growth promoters in this industry for years, but the challenges arising from their long-term use, including microbial resistance, drug residues in products, and threats to public health, have increased the need to find suitable alternatives. In this regard, medicinal plants are considered a promising option due to their bioactive compounds, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. This study was designed and implemented to investigate the effects of different levels of a mixture of medicinal plants such as Echinacea, Sage, Savory, and Rosemary on performance indicators, intestinal morphology, and immune response of broiler chickens.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted using 300 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design. After initial reception and adaptation to the environment, the chickens were divided into five experimental treatments: Treatment 1) control group (without receiving plant extract), Treatment 2) group receiving 0.5% medicinal plant mixture, Treatment 3) group receiving 1% medicinal plant mixture, Treatment 4) group receiving 1.5% medicinal plant mixture, and Treatment 5) group receiving 2% medicinal plant mixture. The medicinal plant mixture was provided to the chickens in the form of solution in drinking water. The 42-day rearing period was carried out under standard temperature, humidity, and ventilation conditions. The diets were formulated based on the nutritional needs of broilers and using quality raw materials. During the experiment, performance parameters including daily weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were measured and recorded weekly. At the end of the period, sampling was performed from different parts of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) to examine morphological characteristics including the length and width of the villi, the depth of the crypts and the ratio of the height of the villi to the depth of the crypt. Also, to assess the immune response, antibody titers against common antigens in chickens were measured. Data analysis was performed using appropriate statistical software and comparative tests.
Findings: The results of this study showed that in the initial period, the group receiving 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest weight gain, and the group receiving 2% of the medicinal plant mixture had the lowest weight gain. In the initial period, the conversion rate of the 1% medicinal plant mixture treatment had the best feed conversion rate. Also, in the growth period, the treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the best conversion rate and the treatment containing 2% of the medicinal plant mixture had the worst feed conversion rate. The treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest duodenum length, and the control treatment had the lowest duodenum length. In contrast, the crypt depth had a significant difference. The treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest duodenal crypt depth and the treatment with 2% of the medicinal plant mixture had the lowest duodenal crypt depth. The treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest jejunal width and the control treatment had the lowest jejunal width. Regarding the depth of the jejunal crypt, the highest and lowest depths were related to the treatment receiving 1% of the medicinal plant mixture and the control treatment, respectively. Regarding the length, width and depth of the ileum crypt, the treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest values.
Conclusion: The findings of this study clearly demonstrate that the optimal use of medicinal herbs can serve as a suitable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. A concentration of 1% of the studied herbal mixture yielded the best results, improving growth performance, enhancing intestinal morpho-functional integrity, and strengthening the immune system. However, dosage is of particular importance, as the results indicated that higher concentrations may lead to adverse effects.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted using 300 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design. After initial reception and adaptation to the environment, the chickens were divided into five experimental treatments: Treatment 1) control group (without receiving plant extract), Treatment 2) group receiving 0.5% medicinal plant mixture, Treatment 3) group receiving 1% medicinal plant mixture, Treatment 4) group receiving 1.5% medicinal plant mixture, and Treatment 5) group receiving 2% medicinal plant mixture. The medicinal plant mixture was provided to the chickens in the form of solution in drinking water. The 42-day rearing period was carried out under standard temperature, humidity, and ventilation conditions. The diets were formulated based on the nutritional needs of broilers and using quality raw materials. During the experiment, performance parameters including daily weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were measured and recorded weekly. At the end of the period, sampling was performed from different parts of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) to examine morphological characteristics including the length and width of the villi, the depth of the crypts and the ratio of the height of the villi to the depth of the crypt. Also, to assess the immune response, antibody titers against common antigens in chickens were measured. Data analysis was performed using appropriate statistical software and comparative tests.
Findings: The results of this study showed that in the initial period, the group receiving 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest weight gain, and the group receiving 2% of the medicinal plant mixture had the lowest weight gain. In the initial period, the conversion rate of the 1% medicinal plant mixture treatment had the best feed conversion rate. Also, in the growth period, the treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the best conversion rate and the treatment containing 2% of the medicinal plant mixture had the worst feed conversion rate. The treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest duodenum length, and the control treatment had the lowest duodenum length. In contrast, the crypt depth had a significant difference. The treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest duodenal crypt depth and the treatment with 2% of the medicinal plant mixture had the lowest duodenal crypt depth. The treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest jejunal width and the control treatment had the lowest jejunal width. Regarding the depth of the jejunal crypt, the highest and lowest depths were related to the treatment receiving 1% of the medicinal plant mixture and the control treatment, respectively. Regarding the length, width and depth of the ileum crypt, the treatment containing 1% of the medicinal plant mixture had the highest values.
Conclusion: The findings of this study clearly demonstrate that the optimal use of medicinal herbs can serve as a suitable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. A concentration of 1% of the studied herbal mixture yielded the best results, improving growth performance, enhancing intestinal morpho-functional integrity, and strengthening the immune system. However, dosage is of particular importance, as the results indicated that higher concentrations may lead to adverse effects.
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