Blood Parameters Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

The effect of adding cod liver oil to the diet on the productivity and blood parameters of broiler chickens

The experiment was performed to evaluate the production performance and blood parameters of broiler chicken fed on cod liver oil enriched feed. A cohort of 96 day-old chickens was allocated at random into four treatment groups, denoted as T0, T1, T2, and T3. Each treatment group consisted of three replicates. In contrast to each replication consisting of eight birds, each treatment group comprises 24 birds. Experimental birds in T1, T2, and T3 were fed rations enriched with cod liver oil at 0.5%, 1%, and 2% by weight, respectively, whereas T0 received only standard feed and was designated as the control group. The findings of this research demonstrated that the final live weight and live weight gain of the birds in group T3 which was provided with feed enriched with 2% cod liver oil was significantly greater (p

Effects of probiotic Enterococcus faecium and raw, fermented and sprouted pearl millet based diets on performances, carcass traits, hematological and biochemical indices of broiler chickens

Probiotics, recognized as a safe substitute for antibiotics in the animal industry, have been acknowledged for their growth-enhancing properties. This study assessed the impact of Enterococcus faecium strain NCIMB 11181 and diets incorporating Raw, Sprouted, and Fermented pearl millet on the performance, carcass traits, organ weights, and blood parameters of broiler chickens. In a randomized design, 120 one-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chickens were assigned to five groups: 1) No supplement, negative control (N-con); 2) Control + antibiotics, positive control (P-con); 3) Raw pearl millet + probiotics in drinking water (RPM + PRO); 4) Sprouted pearl millet + probiotics in drinking water (SPM+PRO); 5) Fermented pearl millet + probiotics in drinking water (FPM + PRO). Probiotic supplementation did not significantly impact body weight gain (BWG) but influenced feed intake (FI) (P<0.05). FPM+PRO increased feed conversion ratio (FCR), thigh yield, and drumstick yield. Thymus weight is reduced in the RPM+PRO and SPM+PRO groups compared to the control groups. Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels decreased (P<0.01) in the P-con and FPM+PRO groups. No treatment effect (P>0.05) was observed on hematological indices. Overall, pearl millet diets supplemented with probiotics demonstrated no adverse effects on the health status of broiler chickens, suggesting their potential as viable alternatives to antibiotics.

Effect of different levels of supplemental yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on productive performance, carcass traits and some blood parameters in broiler chickens

Effect of different levels of supplemental yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on productive performance, carcass traits and some blood parameters in broiler chickens

Effects of Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation on Performance, Fat and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of hydroxytyrosol (HT) on performance, fat, and blood parameters of broilers. In total, 960 male chicks were distributed into four treatments groups with 12 replicates with 20 birds per pen, with varying HT levels (0, 5, 10, and 50 mg/kg of feed) added to the basal diet from 1 to 42 days old. Feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. Enzymes related to liver injury were evaluated in blood. Fatty acid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were determined in the breast meat. Dietary supplementation of HT did not improve broilers' performance (p > 0.05). Birds fed 50 mg HT/kg had lower AST, ALT, and GGT concentrations (p ≤ 0.05), whereas broilers fed 5, 10, and 50 mg HT/kg, had lower TBIL concentrations (p ≤ 0.05). Breast meat of broilers fed 50 mg HT/kg had lower lipid content, saturated fatty acid, unsaturated fatty acids, MDA concentrations (p ≤ 0.05), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.0001). In summary, supplementation of 5, 10, and 50 mg HT/kg does not improve the performance of broilers, but the dose of 50 mg HT/kg helps the liver against inflammation and improves fat parameters.

DOUM PALM (Hyphaene thebaica) SEED MEAL AS A NOVEL FEEDSTUFF FOR BROILER CHICKENS: EFFECT ON GROWTH RESPONSE

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;High cost of feed ingredients and increased demand for broiler chicken in many African countries has necessitated the search for alternative feed sources. &lt;strong&gt;Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; To evaluate the effects of &lt;em&gt;H&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;yphaene thebaica&lt;/em&gt; seed meal (HTSM) as substitute for maize on growth and blood parameters of broiler chickens. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;. &lt;/strong&gt;Five experimental diets were formulated for the trial. Diet 1 (0% HTSM) served as the control while diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 5, 10, 15 and 20% HTSM respectively replacing dietary maize in the diets of birds. A total of 225 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five treatment groups with three replicates of fifteen birds each. Each group was assigned to the five experimental diets in completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were supplied &lt;em&gt;ad libitum &lt;/em&gt;for all treatment groups during the trial. &lt;strong&gt;Result.&lt;/strong&gt; Differences (P&amp;lt;0.05) were observed in the growth parameters measured except average daily feed intake (P&amp;gt;0.05). Feed conversion ratio and average daily weight gain of birds fed 0, 5 and 10% HTSM diets were better (P&amp;lt;0.05) compared to those fed 15 and 20 % HTSM diets. Differences (P&amp;lt;0.05) were also observed in the blood parameters measured except the packed cell volume (29.08- 31.89%) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (14.69-15.67pg). The white blood cell (11.45-18.14 x 10&lt;sup&gt;9&lt;/sup&gt;/l), red blood cell (4.71-6.99 x 10&lt;sup&gt;12&lt;/sup&gt;/l), haemoglobin (6.92-10.05g/dl) and aspartate transaminase (72.95-90.16 IU/l), alanine aminotransaminase (62.84-79.50 IUu/l) and alkaline phosphatase (100.26-108.77 IU/l) increased (P&amp;lt;0.05) as the dietary levels of HTSM increased across the treatments. Carcass and organ weights of birds fed 0, 5 and 10% HTSM diets were better (P&amp;lt;0.05) than those fed 15 and 20% HTSM diets. &lt;strong&gt;Implication. &lt;/strong&gt;Adequate processing of the HTSM is needed to reduce the anti-nutritional factors to a tolerable level before being used in broiler diet.&lt;strong&gt; C&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;onclusion.&lt;/strong&gt; Broiler chickens can tolerate up to 10% raw HTSM in their diets without adverse effect on growth performance. &lt;/p&gt;

Investigating adverse effects of chronic dietary exposure to herbicide glyphosate on zootechnical characteristics and clinical, biochemical and immunological blood parameters in broiler chickens

Although the herbicide glyphosate is widely used globally and considered safe, more evidence of its adverse effects on animals and humans is accumulating. The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the impact of different glyphosate concentrations on zootechnical characteristics and clinical, biochemical and immunological blood parameters in Ross 308 broiler chickens. Four groups were employed, including untreated control and three experimental groups fed diets enriched with glyphosate at doses of 10, 20 and 100 ppm that conformed to 0.5, 1 and 5 maximum residue limits, respectively. The results showed that glyphosate is a stress factor triggering a multifaceted effect on important blood parameters (e.g., white blood cell and phagocytic counts), which was shown for the first time in the experiments involving productive meat-type poultry. It was first revealed that glyphosate-induced changes in blood parameters may be related to a negative impact on the zootechnical characteristics including the digestive tract organ development and body weight gain. The study findings suggested that exposure to glyphosate in the feedstuffs can adversely affect the physiological condition and productivity of broilers.

The effects of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaf powder supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, meat lipid oxidation and some blood parameters of broiler chicks

The purpose of this study was conducted to evaluated the effects of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaves powder (LLP) on performance, thigh and breast meat lipid oxidation and chemical composition, body components, digestive tract parts and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 144 d-old mix-sexed chicks were weighed and randomly assigned to four experimental groups with three replicates of 12 chicks (6 ♀and 6 ♂) each. Treatments were as follows: (i) basal diet-no additive (control), (ii) basal diet+1000 mg/kg LLP, (iii) basal diet+5000 mg/kg LLP and (iv) basal diet+10000 mg/kg LLP. The results revealed that over entire the experimental period body weight and body weight gain increased by LLP supplementation (P&lt;0.01). Feed intake of birds enhanced (P&lt;0.05) whilst feed conversion ratio and chemical composition thigh meat were not significant affected by LLP concentration (P&gt;0.05). Liver improved with 10000 mg/kg LLP (P&lt;0.001) and the weight of ileum + jejunum improved with 5000 and 10000 mg/kg LLP (P&lt;0.01). Breast dry matter (P&lt;0.05), glucose (P&lt;0.05) and with LLP treatment, the TBARS values of breast and thigh meat decreased (P&lt;0.001). As a result, LLP supplementation in broiler diets can be advised because it lowers lipid oxidation in the meat.

The effects of goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) leaves on performance, meat lipid oxidation, digestive tract parts, and some blood parameters of broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing diets with goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) leaves (GBL) on performance, meat lipid oxidation, meat chemical composition, carcass traits, some internal organs, digestive tract parts and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 144 d-old mix-sexed chicks (Ross-308) were weighed and randomly allocated to four experimental groups with three replicates of 12 chickens each. Treatments were as follows: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet+1 g/kg GBL, (iii) basal diet + 5 g/kg GBL and (iv) basal diet+ 10 g/kg GBL. After analysis of one-way ANOVA, the results revealed that 10 g/kg GBL improved body weight (0-6 weeks) (P&lt;0.01), body weight gain (4-6 weeks) and feed intake (4-6 and 0-6 weeks) (P&lt;0.05). Feed conversion ratio did not significantly improve with GBL treatment (P&gt;0.05). In addition, 10 g/kg GBL of the diet increased heart weight and proventriculus length (P&lt;0.05), however, decreased breast meat lipid oxidation on d 21 (P&lt;0.05). Experimental treatments did not affect the total cholesterol, HDL, glucose and triglycerides (P&gt;0.05) but decreased LDL (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of 10 g/kg GBL to broiler chicken diet may improve performance and may decrease breast meat lipid oxidation and blood serum LDL.

The Effect of using a Combination of Phytase and Synbiotic in a Phosphorus Deficient Diet on the Performance and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

The Effect of using a Combination of Phytase and Synbiotic in a Phosphorus Deficient Diet on the Performance and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

The impact of dietary inclusion of silver nanoparticles on growth performance, intestinal morphology, caecal microflora, carcass traits and blood parameters of broiler chickens

We evaluated the fects of different levels of dietary silver nanoparticle (AgNP) powder on performance, intestinal microflora, carcass traits and blood parameters of broiler chickens. Three hundred seven-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly divided into five groups, each group replicated three times with 20 birds per replication. Chickens were fed the basal diet with 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg AgNPs per kg feed. Dietary inclusion of AgNPs improved the final body weight, cumulative weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The best broiler performance, carcass traits, and relative organ weights were observed in the group supplemented with 2.5 ppm AgNPs. Increasing the AgNP dose resulted in a significant decrease in the caecal lactose positive and enterococci bacteria populations, while lactobacilli counts were numerically increased. The silver residues in the breast and thigh muscle significantly increased (p < .05) in a dose-dependent manner. Dietary inclusion of AgNPs induced dose-dependent lesions in liver, kidney, spleen and duodenum tissues involving degeneration, necrosis, mononuclear infiltration and focal aggregation of inflammatory cells. In conclusion, despite its potential positive impacts on growth performance, carcass traits and caecal microbial population diversity at a dose of 2.5 ppm, dietary inclusion of AgNPs had the following negative effects on broilers: 1) silver residues in breast and thigh muscle, which may result in AgNPs transmission to consumers, and 2) cytotoxicity in intestinal, liver, spleen and kidney cells in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, we suggest the use of lower doses of AgNPs (< 2.5 ppm diet) in poultry production in the future studies. HIGHLIGHTS Dietary inclusion of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in broiler diets more than 2.5 mg/kg diets had many negative effects represented by accumulation of silver residue in broiler meat and the possibility of transmission of nanosilver to consumers. AgNPs had a cytotoxic effect on intestine, liver, spleen and kidney cells in a dose-dependent manner in broilers and might be harmful to chicken and human health. Therefore, we do not recommend using AgNPs as a dietary growth promotor or antibacterial agent in broiler diets and their use and marketing should be controlled and restricted.

Growth performance and heamatobiochemical parameters of broilers fed diets containing Artemisia afra essential oil

The study was conducted to determine the effects of Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd. essential oil inclusion in diets on growth performance and blood parameters in broiler chickens. Four hundred day-old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly allotted to four treatments: NC – negative control (commercial broiler diet without antibiotics), PC – positive control (commercial broiler diet), AA1 – commercial diet + 0.1% A. afra essential oil, and AA2 – commercial diet + 0.3 % A. afra essential oil. Each treatment was replicated 10 times. From the results, birds fed the PC diet had the highest average daily feed intake (105.60 g ± 3.18) and average daily gain (ADG) in the grower phase. The highest ADG in the finisher phase was obtained in the AAI treatment (170.23 g·d−1 ± 2.00), whereas the feed conversion ratio was lower in the essential-oil-containing diets. Diet significantly improved protein utilization efficiency in both grower and finisher phases. Birds fed AA1 had the highest values for neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils, whereas those fed the NC diet had the highest alkaline phosphatase levels (102.00 IU·L−1 ± 7.61). The findings of the study suggest the use of A. afra essential oil in broiler diets can positively improve growth and flock health.

Effect of Various Levels of Cottonseed Meal with Silymarin on Performance, Tibia Bone Characteristics and Some Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Effect of Various Levels of Cottonseed Meal with Silymarin on Performance, Tibia Bone Characteristics and Some Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Влияние поливитаминного комплекса на биохимические аспекты показателей крови цыплят-бройлеров

The article presents the results of a study of the influence of the multivitamin complex «Nitamin » on the biochemical aspects of blood parameters in broiler chickens. It was found that the introduction of this drug in addition to the basic diet of broiler chickens led to the intensification of protein metabolism, the concentration of total protein in the blood of the birds of the experimental group was higher than in the control by 19,6%. In addition, the introduction of the drug «Nitamin» into the diet of birds caused an increase in blood glucose in broiler chickens by 17,4%, a decrease in cholesterol in blood serum by an average of 8,9%, a tendency to increase uric acid in the blood by 58,6%, increase in magnesium concentration by 5,5% and pH level by 0,06 units. pH. In relation to the control group, the iron content in the blood of the birds of the experimental group increased by 18%, which indicates a better assimilation of the microelement by the body from the feed and the stimulating effect of the study drug on the intensity of mineral metabolism in general.

Dietary supplementation with biosynthesised nano-selenium affects growth, carcass characteristics, meat quality and blood parameters of broiler chickens

Context Selenium is an essential micronutrient that plays an important role in livestock nutrition. Aims The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of green synthesised nano-selenium (GNS) on growth, carcass characteristics, meat quality and blood indices of broiler chickens when compared with sodium selenite (SS) as inorganic selenium. Methods A total of 360 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into four experimental treatments, with six replicates of 15 birds per each. The treatments were as follows: (1) basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg of SS (control group), and (2–4) basal diet supplemented with 0.075, 0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg of GNS, respectively. Key results The results showed that there was no influence of GNS supplementation on the growth of broiler chickens (P &gt; 0.05). The relative weights of the carcass, breast, leg, pancreas, gizzard, and abdominal fat at 21 and 42 days were not affected by treatment. However, at 42 days, the lowest relative weight of the liver was for birds fed diets containing 0.3 mg/kg GNS. Compared with SS, the meat of birds fed GNS dietary supplements at 0.3 mg/kg had greater water-holding capacity, redness, yellowness and chroma values, and lower meat thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and drip loss values (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with SS, broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with GNS at 0.3 mg/kg had greater amounts of total protein in serum. In this study, no major differences were observed in serum glucose, cholesterol, lipoprotein, thyroid hormone, and liver function levels and biomarkers of kidney function. Conclusions Taken together, the findings from this study indicate that GNS improved the quality of meat relative to SS, but had no effect on growth efficiency, carcass characteristics or broiler blood indices. Implications These results provide a basis for the application of eco-friendly GNS as an alternative of inorganic selenium in a mineral premix in chicken broiler diets.

The Effect of Ceratonia siliqua in Comparison with Antibiotics and Prebiotics on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Immune System, and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

The Effect of Ceratonia siliqua in Comparison with Antibiotics and Prebiotics on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Immune System, and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Impact of Replacement Maize with Graded Levels of Indomie Waste Meal on Performance, Carcass Traits, Cost and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

A six week feeding study was carried out to assess the effects of graded levels of indomie waste meal (IWM) as a substitute for maize in the diet of broiler chickens on growth performance, carcass traits, cost efficiency, digestive enzymes activities, and serum biochemical parameters. One hundred and twenty male one day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were used. The birds were weighted and assigned to equal six treatment groups as following: T1 (0% IWM), T2 (20% IWM), T3 (40% IWM), T4 (60% IWM), T5 (80% IWM), and T6 (100% IWM) in a completely randomized design. Each treatment had five replicates and each replicate contains four chicks. The Results of growth performance showed that the body weight gain was significantly highest (P < 0.05) in birds fed 60% IWM (2663 g / bird). The feed intake decreased gradually as IWM increased in the diet. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lowest (P < 0.05) in birds fed 60% IWM (1.65). It was revealed that the relative weight of gizzard, liver, intestine, and abdominal fat were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the dietary inclusion of IWM. The highest recorded value of abdominal fat percent was (3.36) in group fed 100% IWM. The lowest recorded value of liver % was (1.91) in group fed 60% IWM. Cost and return analysis revealed that the feed cost decreased because IWM increased in the diet. Total return and net profit were significantly highest in birds fed 60% IWM. Also there was an improvement in the pancreatic digestive enzymes activities with dietary inclusion of IWM. There were significant increase in amylase and lipase activities while significant decrease in protease activity. There was a significant increase in the total cholesterol as dietary IWM increased. Based on the study's findings, indomie waste meal was recommended to substitute maize up to 60% level in the broiler chickens diet.

Effects of Chronic Thermal Stress on Performance, Energy Metabolism, Antioxidant Activity, Brain Serotonin, and Blood Biochemical Indices of Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryIn the tropical and subtropical regions, heat stress is the main limiting factor of poultry industries. In this context, broilers are more liable to thermal stress due to their fast growth, rapid metabolic rate, and high level of production. The aim of the current work was to analyze changes in the brain serotonin, energy metabolism, antioxidant biomarkers, and blood chemistry of broiler chickens subjected to chronic thermal stress. Thermal stress disturbed the antioxidant defense system and energy metabolism and exhausted ATP levels in the liver tissues of broiler chickens. Interestingly, chronic thermal stress reduced the level of brain serotonin and the activity of CoQ10 in liver tissues.The aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of chronic thermal stress on the performance, energy metabolism, liver CoQ10, brain serotonin, and blood parameters of broiler chickens. In total, 100 one-day-old chicks were divided into two equal groups of five replicates. At 22 days of age and thereafter, the first group (TN) was maintained at a thermoneutral condition (23 ± 1 °C), while the second group (TS) was subjected to 8 h of thermal stress (34 °C). The heat-stressed group showed significantly lower ADFI but higher FCR than the thermoneutral group (p = 0.030 and 0.041, respectively). The TS group showed significantly higher serum cholesterol, ALT, and AST (p = 0.033, 0.024, and 0.010, respectively). Meanwhile, the TS group showed lower serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, and Na+ than the TN group (p = 0.001, 0.025, 0.032, and 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, the TS group showed significantly lower SOD and catalase in heart tissues (p = 0.005 and 0.001, respectively). The TS group showed significantly lower liver ATP than the TN group (p = 0.005). Meanwhile, chronic thermal stress significantly increased the levels of ADP and AMP in the liver tissues of broiler chickens (p = 0.004 and 0.029, respectively). The TS group showed significantly lower brain serotonin (p = 0.004) and liver CoQ10 (p = 0.001) than the TN group. It could be concluded that thermal stress disturbed the antioxidant defense system and energy metabolism and exhausted ATP levels in the liver tissues of broiler chickens. Interestingly, chronic thermal stress reduced the level of brain serotonin and the activity of CoQ10 in liver tissues.

Effects of feed restriction on the occurrence of white striping and wooden breast myopathies, performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters in broiler chickens

This study was planned to determine the effects of feed restriction applied at different times and levels on the occurrence of white striping and wooden breast myopathies, performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters in broilers. In total, 600 male broilers were randomly placed to 5 groups with eight replicates. Control group was fed ad libitum throughout experimental period. T1 and T2 groups received feed as 80% and 70% of control group from 11 to 24 days of age, respectively. T3 and T4 groups received feed as 80% and 70% of control group from 25 to 39 days of age, respectively. T2, T3 and T4 groups had the lower mean values for feed intake and body weight gain from 0 to 49 days of age, final body weight, carcass weight, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, compared to control group. T3 and T4 groups had lower dressing percentage, breast meat yield, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) levels than control. T2, T3 and T4 groups had lower incidence for white striping and wooden breast myopathies than control. T3 and T4 groups had also the lower incidence for severe degree white striping and wooden breast myopathies than control. In conclusion, feed restriction to 70% of ad libitum intake between 11 and 24 days of age and feed restriction to 80% and 70% of ad libitum intake between 25 and 39 days of age may reduce the incidence and severeness of white striping and wooden breast myopathies, although there is some loss in performance traits. Feed restrictions to 80% and 70% levels of ad libitum intake between 25 and 39 days of age may be more effective in reducing these myopathies on pectoralis major muscle of broilers.

Ethanolic extract of mango seed in broiler feed: Effect on productive performance, segments of the digestive tract and blood parameters

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of different levels of ethanolic extract of mango seed (EEMS) on performance, carcass characteristics, relative weight of the digestive tract segments and blood parameters of broiler chickens. For this purpose, 756 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with seven treatments and six replicates of 18 birds. The treatments consisted of: diet without addition of antioxidant (control); with addition of 200 mg/kg of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); and diets with 200, 400, 600, 800 or 1000 mg/kg of EEMS. There were no significant differences between the treatments for the performance variables, carcass characteristics, or the relative weight of the segments of the digestive tract. Regarding the serum lipid profile, it was observed that the broilers fed the control diet had significantly higher total cholesterol levels than the animals that received diets containing EEMS. However, there was no significant difference between the use of synthetic antioxidant BHT and the addition of EEMS at different levels. Ethanolic extract of mango seed in broiler chickens’ feeding from 1 to 42 days of age has no adverse effects on performance, carcass characteristics or relative weight of the segments of the digestive tract. However, it influences their lipid metabolism, reducing total plasma cholesterol from inclusion level 200 mg/kg.

The Use of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil as an Additive to Drinking Water for Broiler Chickens and Its In Vitro Reaction with Enrofloxacin.

Simple SummaryEssential oils can stimulate the growth and functioning of the body, which translates into both chickens’ health and enhanced production parameters. Given the increasing restrictions imposed on poultry production in terms of food safety, it seems appropriate to look for the use of new, natural substances to be applied in poultry production. The article presents the results of the study of lavender essential oil in this context, with a particular focus on its antimicrobial and immunostimulatory properties. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of lavender essential oil (added to drinking water at concentrations of 0.4 mL/L) on the production parameters and selected blood parameters in broiler chickens and to assess the lavender oil in vitro reaction combined with a commercial antibiotic, enrofloxacin, against Escherichia coli. The results of the experiment showed that the lavender essential oil exerts antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and it also showed a positive effect on the production results of broiler chickens.Biological activity of lavender essential oil is a property that can potentially find an application in poultry nutrition. Nowadays, the use of bioactive compounds is encouraged in many areas of industry and agriculture, since these substances have similar properties as withdrawn antibiotic growth promoters. Additionally, antibiotic resistance bacteria are one of the most important current threats to animal health. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of lavender essential oil on the production parameters and blood parameters in broiler chickens and to assess the lavender oil’s in vitro reaction in a combination with enrofloxacin towards Escherichia coli. One-day-old non-sexed chicks (Ross 308) were divided into three experimental groups, each consisting of 100 individuals (five replicate of 20 boiler chicken each). The chickens in the control group received drinking water with no addition of lavender essential oil. In the experimental groups, lavender oil was added to the drinking water at a concentration of 0.4 mL/L, in the LEO1–42 from 1 to 42 days of age and the LEO22–42 group from the 22 to 42 days of age. The chickens’ body weight, feed consumption, water consumption, deaths and elimination due to health reasons were determined in the experiment. On day 42 of the chickens’ lives, blood samples were collected based on which selected parameters were identified. An in vitro experiment of lavender oil in combination with enrofloxacin was investigated with a checkerboard method. The results of the experiment showed the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of lavender essential oil and its positive effect on the production results of broiler chickens. The study results proved that the addition of lavender oil positively impacted the chickens’ final body weight and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01). No differences were observed between the groups for water consumption, death rate and the examined biochemical and immunological blood serum indices. Lavender essential oil was demonstrated to increase the blood serum’s total antioxidant status. A synergistic reaction in vitro was observed for lavender oil combined with enrofloxacin against resistant strains of Escherichia coli. Based on our study, a health-promoting effect of adding LEO to water for broiler chickens was found. Moreover, in vitro studies indicate a significant effect of lavender essential oil on the inhibition of the resistant strains of Escherichia coli growth and synergistic reaction with enrofloxacin.