Effect of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) on performance and intestine morphology of broilers

Poursina, B.; Soleimani Roudi, P.; Sedghi, M.; Taibipour, A.

doi:10.22092/ijmapr.2016.105892

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ M.Sc. of Poultry Nutrition, Kian Jooje Aria Company, Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran

² Ph.D. Student of Poultry Nutrition of Ferdowsi University

³ Kian Jooje Aria Company, Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2016.105892

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and especially chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) leaves on performance and intestinal morphology of broilers using 360 one-day old chicks, in a completely randomized design with three treatments, three replicates and 40 chickens in each replicate (20 male and 20 female). Treatments were arranged in: control group, 3Kg of chicory for treatment 2 and 1Kg of peppermint+1Kg of thyme+1Kg of chicory for treatment 3. The entire experimental period was divided into three phases; 1-10 days, 11-24 days and 25-42 days. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. On 42^th day, to assess the effects of treatments on villus length, crypt depth and the ratio of the villus height to the crypt depth in Jejunum and ileum, 6 birds from each treatment were slaughtered. Results indicated that the addition of these herbal plants, significantly increased body weight gain, feed consumption and improved feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). The maximum body weight gain and the best feed conversion ratio were related to the chicory treatment and the most of feed consumption was related to the third treatment (p<0.05). The morphological measurements of the jejunum, ileum and the ratio of the villus height to the crypt depth showed no response to dietary inclusion of these plants as compared with the control diet (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results from the current study suggest that feeding peppermint, thyme and especially chicory increases the growth performance and had no effect on intestinal morphology of broiler chickens.

Keywords

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Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research

Effect of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) on performance and intestine morphology of broilers

References

References

Volume 31, Issue 6 - Serial Number 74
February 2016
Pages 1035-1046

Effect of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) on performance and intestine morphology of broilers

References

References

Volume 31, Issue 6 - Serial Number 74February 2016Pages 1035-1046

Volume 31, Issue 6 - Serial Number 74
February 2016
Pages 1035-1046