Abstract
The current study was carried out to study the effect of dietary supplementation with Aloe Vera leaves powder (AVLP) as natural feed additives on growth performance, carcass characteristics and immune response of broiler chickens. Ross unsexed one day old (75 gm) broiler chicks (n=90) were randomly divided into five experimental groups; each group with three replicates (18 chicks/group; 6 chicks/replicate). Diets supplemented with AVLP at rates of 0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 % and the last group supplemented with antibiotic (Oxytetracyclin 1 g/kg diet) for 42 days. Body weights and feed residues were monitored weekly. At the end of the trial, three birds/group were euthanized and then blood samples were collected, moreover carcass dressing and visceral organs were collected and weighed. Results revealed that AVLP had no significant (P>0.05) effects on growth performance of broiler chicken. All treated groups showed non-significant (P>0.05) effect on internal organ weights and carcass traits. Diets supplemented with 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 % of AVLP stimulate the immunity by increasing the phagocytic capacity and antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus when compared with the control group. These results indicated that addition of AVLP in broiler chicken’s diets has no adverse effects on growth performance beside it improves the humoral and the cellular immunity
Highlights
Antibiotic growth promoters are helpful in improvement the growth performance and feed conversion ratio in poultry [1]
Present trial were to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Aloe Vera leaves powder (AVLP) as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, carcass characteristics and immune response of broiler chickens
The dietary treatments with AVLP had no significant (P>0.05) difference in final body weight, body weight gain and total feed intake when compared with the control group
Summary
Antibiotic growth promoters are helpful in improvement the growth performance and feed conversion ratio in poultry [1]. Constant treatment of poultry by antibiotic may result in residues of these substances in poultry products and bacterial resistance against treatments in human body [2]. Many studies were carried out on using feed additives, including herbs as alternatives to antibiotics [3]. Many studies revealed the antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulator effect of Aloe Vera [4] so it can be used as a replacement for antibiotic growth promoter. Present trial were to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Aloe Vera leaves powder (AVLP) as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, carcass characteristics and immune response of broiler chickens
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
