Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of the prebiotic Salgard and an herb mixture (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and cinnamon) on the histostructure of some internal organs and on the intestinal microflora of Pekin ducklings in an organic production system. Seventy two Pekin ducklings distributed randomly into 3 groups of 24 birds each and sexed (12 ?and 12 ?) were used as followed: group I (control) fed a standard diet; group II - fed the same diet supplemented with the prebiotic Salgard at a concentration of 0.15 %, and group III - fed the same diet supplemented with 0.15 % of a herb mixture in an equal proportion (0.03% of each herb - rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and cinnamon). At slaughter, material for histological examination was obtained from the ileum, the caeca, the liver and the kidneys of birds. Faecal content from the ileum and the caeca were submitted to microbiological analysis. The addition of Salgard in a concentration of 0.15 % to the diet of Pekin ducklings contributed to significant increasing the length of the villi intestinales (P<0.001) and diameter of intestinal glands (P<0.01) in the ileum and epithelial height (P<0.05) in the caeca, as well as with a reduction of pathogenic intestinal microorganisms in the birds that received the prebiotic and herb mixture.
Highlights
The organic production system is in harmony with natural poultry rearing conditions and a prerequisite for a high level of welfare
The ducklings from group I fed a standard diet; group II – fed the same dietsupplemented with the prebiotic Salgard produced by Optivite LTD, Nottinghamshire, UK at a concentration of 0.15 %, and group III – fed the same diet supplemented with 0.15 % of a herb mixture in an equal proportion (0.03% of each herb - rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus serpyllum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
Light microscope examination revealed that the ileal wall of the ducklings from the three groups was composed of 4 layers: tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica serosa
Summary
The organic production system is in harmony with natural poultry rearing conditions and a prerequisite for a high level of welfare. At the same time it protects the beneficial microflora – Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp. and Bacteroides spp. in the animal intestinal tract, resulting in improved health and development, higher utilization of feeds, and a positive effect on their productive qualities in organic animal farming conditions (Griggs and Jacob, 2005; Biggs et al, 2007; Levic et al, 2008). The supplementation with herbs and spices in organic production is an important alternative for improving the health and welfare of animals and poultry. Their active substances stimulate non-specific resistance, increase the appetite and feed conversion, increasing productivity (Loo and Richard, 1992; Jamroz et al, 2006; Mikulski et al, 2008; Frankič et al, 2009)
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