Abstract
Antibiotic growth promoters have been used to improve growth and feed conversion in the poultry industry for a long time; however, they were banned because of several life-threatening side effects in animals, poultry, and humans. This work was carried out to investigate the effect of leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. kurrat) leaf extract (LLE) as a non-traditional growth promoter and feed additive on growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum biochemical parameters, and economic efficiency of broilers. Hubbard unsexed 1-day-old broilers (n = 250) were fed with diets supplemented with LLE for 42 days. The experimental chicks were randomly assigned to one of the five treatment groups varying in LLE quantity in diets: 0% (control), 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2%, with five replicates per treatment (50 chicks/treatment or 10 chicks/replicate). Results showed that LLE supplementation improved (P < 0.05) different growth performance parameters. Furthermore, dietary LLE not only decreased serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and glucose levels but also increased serum high-density lipoprotein level compared to the control diet. The weight percentages of dressing (P = 0.022) and liver (P = 0.041) showed a marked increase after the addition of LLE. Return, net profit, and collective efficiency measures were increased (P = 0.001) in all LLE groups compared with the control group. Broilers that fed on diets containing 0.2% LLE showed the highest growth and economic efficiency. It could be concluded that supplementation with LLE in broilers has growth-promoting effects, improved biochemical parameters, carcass quality, and promoted economic efficiency through maximizing both return and net profit.
Highlights
The use of growth promoters in the poultry industry leads to the net increase in the weight of broilers without the use of any additional dietary supplements
The current trial was delineated to investigate the improvement of productive performance, carcass characteristics, some serum biochemistry, and economic efficiency of broiler chickens by leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. kurrat) leaf extract (LLE) dietary supplementation
Few studies have reported the beneficial effects of Leek Leaf (LLE) as growth promoters in poultry feed
Summary
The use of growth promoters in the poultry industry leads to the net increase in the weight of broilers without the use of any additional dietary supplements. Kurrat) is a biennial plant related to the genus Allium (family Alliaceae or Liliaceae), including onion and garlic [3]. Leek and its leaves are considered a potential source of several bioactive or health-promoting compounds, including a high number of phytonutrients Their extracts have been studied for antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic [4], hypoglycemic [5], hypolipidemic [6], and hypercholesterolemic [7] effects. The use of various herbal extracts as dietary supplements has been reported to improve the growth and protection of broilers against several diseases [8], the potential use of leek leaf extract has remained elusive. The current trial was delineated to investigate the improvement of productive performance, carcass characteristics, some serum biochemistry, and economic efficiency of broiler chickens by leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. kurrat) leaf extract (LLE) dietary supplementation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
