The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of angelica (Heracleum persicum) fruit on performance, immune responses, small intestine histology, haematological parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

Effects of adding different levels of fructooligosaccharide to diet on productive performance, egg quality traits, immune response and blood metabolites in commercial laying hens

BACKGROUND

A prebiotic is defined as an indigestible feed substance that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the large intestine, thereby improving host health and products.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing prebiotic fructooligosaccharide (FOS) to the diets of Hy-Line W-36 laying hens.

METHODS

A total of 168 Hy-Line W-36 laying hens were allocated to four dietary levels of FOS (0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 g/kg diet), 6 replicates of 7 birds each during 63-74. The experiment was performed using a completely randomized design.

RESULTS

Productive performance was not significantly affected by the FOS supplementation. Body weight gain was linearly decreased with increasing FOS levels in the diet (p < 0.01). However, eggshell strength, shell thickness and Ca and p percentages were not significantly affected, as were anti-sheep red blood cell titres, blood parameters and blood metabolites. In the first period of the experiment (63-65 weeks), shape index and Haugh unit at the dose of 3.0 g/kg FOS were significantly increased and decreased in comparison with control, respectively (p < 0.05). In the third and fourth periods (69-71 and 72-74 weeks of age), the FOS had no significant effect on the internal egg quality traits. Furthermore, FOS had a linear decrease in the most saturated fatty acids (SFAs), including myristic, palmitic, margaric and stearic fatty acids; some of the mono-un-SFA (MUFA; palmitoleic and ginkgolic acids), and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (γ-linolenic and eicosatrienoic).

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementing different levels of FOS to the diet of commercial laying hens had no significant effect on the layers' performance, immune response and blood parameters, whereas there was a significant effect on some of the internal egg quality traits and egg yolk fatty acid contents.

Herbal Plants Application in Organic Poultry Nutrition and Production

Background:

Medicinal plants and natural feed additives are the most important alternatives in animal production, especially broiler production, due to the ban on the use of certain antibiotics, their cost-effectiveness and harmful residual effects.

Objective:

In this mini-review article, some important medicinal herbs and plants with positive effects on organic broiler production have been highlighted.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted in Science Direct, Google, Google Scholar, Springer, Medline and PubMed.

Results:

Medicinal plants such as ginger, ginkgo, thyme, ponderosa pine, soybean, forsythia, peppermint, Chinese star anise, astragalus, mistletoe, schisandra, cumin, capsicum, garlic, hooker chives, artichoke, Borreria latifolia, zataria, pomegranate, turmeric, lingzhi, Lippia javanica, neem, oriental chaff flower, mulberry leaf, goji berry, Aloe vera, pumpkin, grape, common nettle, marigold, coriandrum, Citrus sinensis, Alisma canaliculatum, Persian hogweed, Eucommiaulmoides, bamboo leaf extract, rosemary, Morina citrifolia, chestnut, green tea, wild mint, clove, sumac, satureja, ashwagandha, Lonicera japonica, Acacia, liquorice, Artemisia annua, milk thistle, cinnamon, black cumin and etc. have positive effects on organic broiler production.

Conclusion:

Herbal medicines lead to increased body weight due to a higher feed intake and a higher feed conversion ratio, and improve antioxidant activity of broiler chickens based on their phenolic compound contents. The combination of medicinal herbal additives also has a positive impact on broiler production. In organic broiler production with the usage of herbal plants, reducing hormones, growth promoters and antibiotics should be organized as well as considering appropriate organic feed management and higher production.

The use of some plant-derived products as effective alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in organic poultry production: a review

Improving poultry production, increasing poultry immunity, and reducing the disease spreading can be achieved by adding various potentially valuable ingredients to the feed or drinking water of poultry flocks. Because of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in animal nutrition were prohibited. Additionally, consumer preferences tend towards purchasing products from livestock raised without antibiotics. Therefore, there is a critical need to find effective growth promoter alternatives and treatment methods for common poultry diseases. Some spice plants play important roles in improving the taste, aroma, and color of human food and their positive effects on human and animal health. The current review aimed to provide a broader perspective on some spice crops which can be effective alternatives to antibiotics in organic poultry production. These spices were including Thymus vulgaris, Cichorium intybus, Coriandrum sativum, Aloe vera, Heracleum persicum, Curcuma longa, and Glycyrrhiza glabra.