الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with three levels of thyme (5, 10 and 15 g/kg diet) and its essential oils (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg diet) on growth performance, blood profiles, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. A total of one hundred-forty day-old unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly allotted to 7 equal groups, each with 4 replications, and kept in battery cages. Chickens were reared to 42 days of age and fed a starter ration from one to 21 days of age (3153 kcal of ME/kg of diet and 22.95% CP) and grower diet from 21 to 42 days of age (3199 kcal of ME/kg of diet 19 % CP). Based on the present results, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with thyme (5.0 g/kg diet) can enhance the efficiency of feed utilization, and immune status of broiler chickens. In addition, supplemental thyme can induce a beneficial effect on the lipid profile and oxidative status of broiler chickens, and the thyme its essential oils can safely be used in diets of broiler chickens. |