Effects of three plant growth promoters on performance, carcass traits, and immune responses of broiler chickens

Alizadeh Ghamsari, Amir Hossein; Hosseini, Seyed Abdullah

doi:10.22092/ijmapr.2025.366129.3454

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Research associate, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO),

² -Research Professor, Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition and Physiology, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2025.366129.3454

Abstract

Background and objectives: Considering the limitations on the use of growth-promoting antibiotics due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the use of plant-based growth promoters in the livestock and poultry industries has garnered significant attention in recent decades. These alternatives are recognized for their beneficial effects on animal growth, immune function, and physiological status. It appears that with new technologies such as nanoencapsulation, the application of plant essential oils in commercial products can become more cost-effective while enhancing performance and reducing feed costs. Therefore, this experiment investigated the effects of three commercial plant growth promoters on performance, feeding cost per kilogram of live body weight, carcass characteristics, and immune responses in broiler chickens.
Methodology: randomized design comprising five treatments with four replicates of 30 birds each. The experimental treatments were as follows: 1) a control diet (no additive), 2) a diet containing Virginiamycin (100 g per ton of feed) as a positive control, and 3 to 5) diets containing Novi-Herb®, Novi-Grow®, and Novi-Herb+® (each at 100 grams per ton of feed). Novi-Herb® included essential oils from thyme (Thymus vulgaris), ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), and oregano (Origanum vulgare), along with a nanocapsulated form of chitosan. Novi-Grow® contained organic acids (lactic and formic acid), prebiotics (lactose and yeast cell wall), and plant-based compounds such as garlic powder (Allium sativum), turmeric powder (Curcuma longa), and cinnamon powder (Cinnamomum verum). Novi-Herb+® combines essential oils of lemon (Citrus limon) and yeast cell wall with other ingredients found in Novi-Herb®. Recommendations from the local veterinarian implemented the vaccination program. Data was collected on feed intake, body weight, livability, feed conversion ratio, production index, and feeding cost per kilogram of live body weight from day 1 to 42. On day 42, blood samples were taken from three birds per replicate to perform differential white blood cell counts and evaluate antibody titers against Newcastle and Influenza vaccines. Additionally, four birds per replicate, selected based on average body weight, were slaughtered. After weighing and stuffing, carcass yield and the relative weights of body components (breast, thigh, neck, back) and internal organs (liver, heart, gizzard, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, gall bladder, and proventriculus), as well as abdominal fat, were measured.
Results: Including the evaluated plant growth promoters in the diet significantly improved body weight and feed conversion ratio at 42 days of age compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant effects of the treatments on livability, the European production index, or feed cost per kilogram of live body weight (P > 0.05). However, the use of Novi-Herb®, Novi-Grow®, and Novi-Herb+® led to cost reductions of 4.8%, 4.1%, and 2.7%, respectively, compared to the control group, and 3.5%, 2.8%, and 1.4%, respectively, compared to the Virginiamycin group. Among the measured traits, only the relative weight of abdominal fat showed a significant decrease with the inclusion of the plant-based growth promoters (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments did not significantly affect the percentage of heterophils, lymphocytes, the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, or antibody titers in response to Newcastle and Influenza vaccine injections (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results, the evaluated plant growth promoters can serve as effective alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters by improving broiler performance and numerically reducing feed cost per kilogram of live body weight.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Biological effects of essential oils and extracts

References

- Abbasi, M.A., Ghazanfari, S., Sharifi, S.D. and Ahmadi Gavlighi, H., 2021. Effect of different levels of rapeseed oil and garden thyme essential oil on performance, immune traits, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. Animal Production, 23(3): 395-408. https://doi.org/10.22059/jap.2021.306922.623549

- Abdelli, N., Solà-Oriol, D. and Pérez, J.F., 2021. Phytogenic feed additives in poultry: Achievements, prospective and challenges. Animals, 11(12): 3471. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123471

- Adedokun, S.A. and Olojede, O.C., 2019. Optimizing gastrointestinal integrity in poultry: the role of nutrients and feed additives. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5: 348-357. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00348

- Akhsan, F., Harifuddin, H. and Irwan, M., 2020. Performance of Cobb strain broiler chickens given the herbal turmeric. Tropical Animal Science, 2(2): 43-48. https://doi.org/10.36596/tas.v2i2.376

- Alempour, M., Rahimi, S. and Karimi-Torshizi, M., 2013. Comparison of the effect of five herbal extracts and virginiamycin on serum lipids and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio in broilers. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, 29(1): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2013.2808

- Amiri, N., Afsharmanesh, M., Salarmoini, M., Meimandipour, A., Hosseini, S.A. and Ebrahimnejad, H., 2020. Effects of nanoencapsulated cumin essential oil as an alternative to the antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diets. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 29(4): 875-885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2020.08.004

- Ardestani, M.M., Aliahmadi, A., Toliat, T., Dalimi, A., Momeni, Z. and Rahimi, R., 2020. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) sprague essential oil and its active constituent, thymol, against vaginal pathogens. Traditional and Integrative Medicine, 5(2): 49-58.
https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v5i2.3625

- Ashayerizadeh, O., Dastar, B., Shams Shargh, M., Soumeh, E.A. and Jazi, V., 2023. Effects of black pepper and turmeric powder on growth performance, gut health, meat quality, and fatty acid profile of Japanese quail. Frontiers in Physiology, 14: 1218850. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1218850

- Attia, Y.A., Bakhashwain, A.A. and Bertu, N.K., 2017. Thyme oil (Thyme vulgaris L.) as a natural growth promoter for broiler chickens reared under hot climate. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 16(2): 275-282. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/1828051X.2016.1245594

- Aviagen. 2019. Ross 308: Broiler Nutrition Specifications. [Accessed on 12 April 2020]. http://en.aviagen.com/assets/Tech_Center/Ross_Broiler/Ross308BroilerNutritionSpecs2019-EN.pdf.

- Ayalew, H., Zhang, H., Wang, J., Wu, S., Qiu, K., Qi, G., Ayalew, T., Wassie, T. and Chanie, D., 2022. Potential feed additives as antibiotic alternatives in broiler production. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9: 916473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.916473.

- Behera, S., Behera, K., Babu, L., Sethy, K., Nanda, S.M. and Biswal, G., 2020. Effect of supplementation of cinnamon powder on growth performance in broiler chickens. International Journal of Livestock Research, 10(10): 225-229. https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20200212053303

- Bölükbasi, Ş.C., Erhan, M.K. and Kaynar, Ö., 2008. The effect of feeding thyme, sage, and rosemary oil on laying hen performance, cholesterol and some proteins ratio of egg yolk, and Escherichia coli count in feces. European Poultry Science, 72(5): 231-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9098(25)00907-5

- Dai, D., Qiu, K., Zhang, H.J., Wu, S.G., Han, Y.M., Wu, Y.Y., Qi, G.H. and Wang, J., 2021. Organic acids as alternatives for antibiotic growth promoters alter the intestinal structure and microbiota and improve the growth performance in broilers. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11: 618144. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.618144.

- Daramola, O.T., 2020. Growth performance and serum metabolites of broiler chickens fed turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder supplemented diets. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 32: 188. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd32/12/alaju32188.html.

- Dey, S., Padhan, S., Samanta, I., Das, P. and Mandal, G.P., 2023. Effect of feeding an essential oil blend on growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal health and humoral immunity in broiler chicken. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 23(3): 539-552. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9061-2023-1853

- Gadde, U.D., Oh, S., Lillehoj, H.S. and Lillehoj, E.P., 2018. Antibiotic growth promoters, virginiamycin and bacitracin methylene disalicylate, alter the chicken intestinal metabolome. Scientific Reports, 8(1): 3592. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-22004-6

- AL-Kassie, G.A.M., Mohseen, M.A. and Abd-AL-Jaleel, R.A., 2011. Modification of productive performance and physiological aspects of broilers on the addition of a mixture of cumin and turmeric to the diet. Research Opinions in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 1(1): 31-34. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2020.104049

- Garcia-Dieza, J., Alheiroa, J., Pintoa, A.L., Falcob, V., Fraquezac, M.J. and Patarata, L., 2017. Synergistic activity of essential oils from herbs and spices used on meat products against foodborne pathogens. Natural Product Communications, 12(2): 281-286. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1701200236

- Gupta, C.L., Blum, S.E., Kattusamy, K., Daniel, T., Druyan, S., Shapira, R., Krifucks, O., Zhu, Y.G., Zhou, X.Y., Su, J.Q. and Cytryn, E., 2021. Longitudinal study on the effects of growth-promoting and therapeutic antibiotics on the dynamics of chicken cloacal and litter microbiomes and resistomes. Microbiome, 9: 178. https://doi.org/ 10.1186/s40168-021-01136-4.

- Han, F., Ma, G.Q., Yang, M., Yan, L., Xiong, W., Shu, J.C., Zhao, Z.D. and Xu, H.L., 2017. Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of essential oils from different parts of the oregano. Journal of Zhejiang University Science, 18(1): 79-84. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1600377

- Hashemipour, H., Kermanshahi, H., Golian, A. and Veldkamp, T., 2013. Effect of thymol and carvacrol feed supplementation on performance, antioxidant enzyme activities, fatty acid composition, digestive enzyme activities, and immune response in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 92(8): 2059- 2069. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2012-02685

- Hosseini, S. and Meimandipour, A., 2018. Feeding broilers with thyme essential oil loaded in chitosan nanoparticles: an efficient strategy for successful delivery. British Poultry Science, 59(6): 669-678. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2018.1521511

- Kairalla, M.A., Alshelmani, M.I. and Aburas, A.A., 2022. Effect of diet supplemented with graded levels of garlic (Allium sativum L.) powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood hematology, and biochemistry of broilers. Open Veterinary Journal, 12(5): 595-601. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i5.1

- Khaligh, F., Sadeghi, G., Karimi, A. and Vaziry, A., 2011. Evaluation of different medicinal plants blends in diets for broiler chickens. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 5(10): 1971-1977. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR.9000622

- Mandal, S. and DebMandal, M., 2016. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) oils: 825-834. In: Preedy, V.R., (Ed.). Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety. Academic Press. Cambridge, 895p.

- Meimandipour, A., Emamzadeh, A.N. and Soleimani, A., 2017. Effects of nanoencapsulated aloe vera, dill and nettle root extract as feed antibiotic substitutes in broiler chickens. Archives Animal Breeding, 60: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-60-1-2017

- Miyakawa, M.E.F., Casanova, N.A. and Kogut, M.H., 2024. How did antibiotic growth promoters increase growth and feed efficiency in poultry? Poultry Science, 103(2): 103278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.103278.

- Mohammad Nejad, M., Rezaei, M., and Kazemi-Fard, M., 2022. Effect of dietary protein lowering and supplementation of Peppermint extract on yield, carcass, blood parameters and microbial population of broiler chickens. Research on Animal Production, 13(37): 52-63. https://doi.org/10.52547/rap.13.37.52

- Nono, F., Yulianti, D.L. and Krisnaningsih, A.T.N., 2017. The effect of using herbal ingredients as feed additives on the incoming feed costs of broiler chickens. Jurnal Sains Peternakan, 5(2): 100-105. https://doi.org/ 10.21067/jsp.v5i2.3160

- OIE. 2023. Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for terrestrial animals: mammals, birds and bees. 12^thedition. World Organization for Animal Health. [Accessed on 12 July 2023]. https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/A_summry.htm

- Oladokun, S. and Adewole, D.I., 2020. In ovo delivery of bioactive substances: an alternative to the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production- a review. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 29(3): 744-763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2020.06.002

- Olfati, A., Mojtahedin, M., Sadeghi, T., Akbari, M. and Pastor, F.M., 2018. Comparison of growth performance and immune responses of broiler chicks reared under heat stress, cold stress and thermoneutral conditions. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. 16(2): e0505. https://doi.org/ 10.5424/sjar/2018162-12753.

- Paul, A., Chakraborty, N., Sarkar, A., Acharya, K., Ranjan, A., Chauhan, A., Srivastava, S., Singh, A.K., Rai, A.K., Mubeen, I. and Prasad, R., 2023. Ethnopharmacological potential of phytochemicals and phytogenic products against human RNA viral diseases as preventive therapeutics. BioMed Research international, 2023: 1977602. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1977602.

- Pham, V.H., Abbas, W., Huang, J., Guo, F., Zhang, K., Kong, L., Zhen, W., Guo, Y. and Wang, Z., 2023. Dietary coated essential oil and organic acid mixture supplementation improves health of broilers infected with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. Animal Nutrition, 12: 245-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2022.09.010

- Rahayu, I.D., Mahmud, A., Widodo, W., Sutanto, A., Anggraini, A.D., Siskawardani, D.D., Nurcahyo, W. and Untari, T., 2023. The effects of herbs as feed additives through feed and drinking water on broiler blood parameters. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 11(9): 1524-1531. https://doi.org/ 10.17582/journal.aavs/2023/11.9.1524.1531

- Rajput, N., Muhammad, N., Yan, R., Zhong, X. and Wang, T., 2013. Effect of dietary supplementation of curcumin on growth performance, intestinal morphology and nutrients utilization of broiler chicks. The Journal of Poultry Science, 50(1): 44-52. https://doi.org/10.2141/jpsa.0120065

- Şahin, T., Sural, T., Ölmez, M. and Karadağoğlu, Ö., 2020. Effects of herbal extract mixtures on performance, carcass yield and some internal organ weight in broilers. Veteriner Hekimler Dernegi Dergisi, 91(2): 137-146. https://doi.org/10.33188/vetheder.685635

- Saleh, A.A., Ebeid, T.A. and Abudabos, A.M., 2018. Effect of dietary phytogenics (herbal mixture) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization, antioxidative properties, and immune response in broilers. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(15): 14606-14613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1685-z.

- Sarchahi, A., Ghazvinian, K., Kafshdoozan, K. and Jamshidi, R., 2022. Effects of virginiamycin and galbanum (Ferula gummosa boiss) on performance, carcass traits, immune system and blood parameters of broiler chickens. Revista Colombiana De Ciencias Pecuarias, 35(4): 191-204. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rccp.v35n3a03

- SAS. 2009. User’s guide: Statistics Version 9.2. Statistical Analysis Software Institute, Cary, North Carolina.

- Sedghi, M., Mohammadi, I., Sarrami, Z., Ghasemi, R. and Azarfar, A., 2022. Effects of a yeast cell wall product on the performance of broiler chickens and PGC-1α, TLR4, IL-10 and PPARγ genes expression. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 21(1): 263-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2021.2025161

- Seidavi, A., Tavakoli, M., Slozhenkina, M., Gorlov, I., Hashem, N.M., Asroosh, F., Taha, A.E., Abd El-Hack, M.E. and Swelum, A.A., 2021. The use of some plant-derived products as effective alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in organic poultry production: a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(35): 47856-47868. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15460-7

- Singh, J., Gaikwad, D.S., 2020. Phytogenic Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition: 273-289. In: Singh, J., Yadav, A., (Eds.). Natural Bioactive Products in Sustainable Agriculture. Springer, Singapore, 307p.

- Talazadeh, F. and Mayahi, M., 2017. Immune response of broiler chickens supplemented with pediatric cough syrup, including thyme extract, in drinking water against the influenza vaccine. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 6(1): 33-36. https://doi.org/10.15171/ijep.2016.17

- Torres-Rodriguez, A., Higgins, S.E., Vicente, J.L.S., Wolfenden, A.D., Gaona-Ramirez, G., Barton, J.T., Tellez, G., Donoghue, A.M. and Hargis, B.M., 2007. Effect of lactose as a prebiotic on turkey body weight under commercial conditions. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 16(4): 635-641. https://doi.org/10.3382/japr.2006-00127

- Wegner, M., Kokoszyński, D. and Włodarczyk, K., 2023. Effect of different vaccination programs on production parameters, carcass, leg bones, and digestive system characteristics of broilers. Poultry Science, 102(10): 102918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.102668.

- Yesuf, Y.K., Tamir, B., Tesfaye, E. and Beyero, N., 2023. The synergetic effects of some phytobiotics mix on growth, hematology and microbial loads of broiler chickens. Animal Biotechnology, 34(8): 3507-3513. https://doi.org/10.1080/10495398.2023.2165934

- Zeng, Z., Zhang, S., Wang, H. and Piao, X., 2015. Essential oil and aromatic plants as feed additives in non- ruminant nutrition: a review. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 6: 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-015-0004-5

- Zhang, L.Y., Peng, Q.Y., Liu, Y.R., Ma, Q.G., Zhang, J.Y., Guo, Y.P., Xue, Z. and Zhao, L.H., 2021. Effects of oregano essential oil as an antibiotic growth promoter alternative on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal health of broilers. Poultry science, 100(7): 101163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101163

Effects of three plant growth promoters on performance, carcass traits, and immune responses of broiler chickens

References

References

Volume 41, Issue 2 - Serial Number 124July 2025Pages 252-265

Volume 41, Issue 2 - Serial Number 124
July 2025
Pages 252-265