In collaboration with Scientific Association of Iranian Medicinal Plants

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This experiment was designed to investigate the comparison of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.), garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts and virginiamycin antibiotic as growth promoter in poultry industry on performance and carcass characteristics of Broilers. A total four hundred and eighty 1-day old male broiler (Ross strain) chicks were assigned to the basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 0.15% virginiamycin, 0.1% extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), garlic (Allium sativum) and mixture of extracts with the same dose. At the end of the experiment two chickens from each replication were randomly selected and killed to investigate the weigh of digestive organs and fat pad. There was significant difference in feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the treatments (p0.05). Lowest and highest FCR was related to virginiamycin and coneflower (pThymus vulgaris) (p>0.05). There was no difference in carcass characteristics and fat pad except small intestinal weight. Virginiamycin had the lowest small intestinal weight but the control had the highest (p

Keywords

- ولی‌زاده، م. و مقدم، م.، 1386. طرحهای آزمایشی در کشاورزی. انتشارات پریور، تبریز، 432 صفحه.
- Allen, P.C., 2003. Dietary supplementation with Echinacea and development of immunity to challenge infection with coccidia. Animal and Natural Resources Institute, 91: 74-78.
- Bafundo, K.W., Cox, L.A. and Bywater, R.j., 2003. Review lends perspective to recent scientific findings on virginiamycin, antibiotic resistance debate. Feedstuffs, 75(3): 26-27.
- Bampidis, V.H., Christodoulou, V., Florou-Paneri, P., Christaki, E., Chatzopoulou, P.S., Tsilingianni, T. and Spais, A.B., 2005. Effect of dietary dried oregano leaves on growth performance, carcase characteristics and serum cholesterol of female early maturing turkeys. British Poultry Science, 46: 595-601.
- Belay, T. and Teeter, R.G., 1994. Virginiamycin effects on performance and saleable carcass of broilers. The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 3: 111–116.
- Buresh, R.E., Miles, R.D. and Harms, R.H., 1986. A differential response in turkey poults to various antibiotics in diets designed to be deficient or adequate in certain essential nutrients. Poultry Science, 65: 2314-2317.
- Burger, R.A., Torres, A.R., Warren, R.P., Caldwell, V.D. and Hughes, B.G., 1997. Echinacea-induced cytokine production by human macrophages. International Journal of Immunopharmacology, 19(7): 371-379.
- Butolo, J.E., 1999. Uso de aditivos na alimentação de aves: frangos de corte. 85-94, In: Jacklin, E. (Ed.), Simpósio sobre as implicações sócio-econômicas do uso de aditivos na produção animal. Piracicaba, 763p.
- Cabuk, M., Bozkurt, M., Alcicek, A., Akbas, Y. and Kucukyimaz, K., 2006. Effect of a herbal essential oil mixture on growth and internal organ weight of broiler from young and old breeder flock. South African, Journal of Animal Sciense, 36(2): 135-141.
- Combs, G.F. and Bossard, E.H., 1963. Comparison of growth response of chicks to virginiamycin and other antibiotics. Poultry Sciense, 42: 681-685.
- Cross, D.E., Svoboda, K., Hillman, K., Mcdevitt, R. and Acamovic, T., 2002. Effects of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil as an in vivo dietary supplement on chicken intestinal microflora. Proceedings of the 33rd International Symposium on Essential oils, Lisbon, Portugal. 3-7 September, 76-84.
- Cross, D.E., McDevitt, R.M., Hillman, K. and Acamovic, T., 2007. The effects of herbs and their associated essential oils on performance, dietary digestibility and gut microflora in chickens from 7 to 28 days of age. British Poultry Science, 48: 496-504.
- Debersac, P., Vernevaut, M.F., Amiot, M.J., Suschetet, M. and Siess, H., 2001. Effects of water-soluble extract of rosemary and it's purified component in rat liver. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 29: 109-117.
- Demir, E., Sarica, S., Ozcan, M.A. and Suicmez, M., 2003. The use of natural feed additives as alternatives for antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diets. British Poultry Science, 44: S44-S45.
- Denli, M., Okan, F. and Uluocak, A.M., 2004. Effect of dietary supplementation of herb essential oils on the growth performance carcass and intestinal characteristics of quail (Conturnix conturnix japonica). South African Journal of Animal Science, 34: 174-179.
- Dora, A., Roth-Maier, B., Bohmer, M. and Brigitte, R., 2008. Efficiency of Echinacea purpurea on performance of broilers and layers. Archiv fuer Gefluegelkunde, 69(3): 123-127.
- Eckel's, B., 1997. Odour reduction by means of a plant extract. Muhle-Mischfuttertechnik. 134: 301-303.
- Ferket, P.R., 2004. Alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production: Responses, practical experience and recommendations. 57-67, In:  Lyons, T.P. and Jacques, K.A., (Eds.), Nutritional Biotechnology in the Feed and Food Industries. Nottingham University Press, Nottinghamm, UK, 342p.
- Grimble, R.F., 1994. Modulation and the immune response. 2 impacts of nutrients on cytokine biology in infection. Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 88: 615-619.
- Henry, P.R., Ammerman, C.B., Cammpbell, D.R. and Miles, R.D., 1987. Effect of antibiotic on tissue trace mineral concentration and intestinal tract weight of broiler chicks. Poultry Science, 66: 1014-1018.
- Hernandez, F., Madrid, J., Garcia, V., Orengo, J. and Megias, M.D., 2004. Influence of two plant extracts on broilers performance, digestibility and digestive organ size. Poultry Science, 83: 169-174.
- Hertrampf, J.W., 2001. Alternative antibacterial performance promoters. Poultry International, 40: 50-52.
- Hevener, W., Routh, P.A. and Almond, G.W., 1999. Effects of immune challenge on concentrations of serum insulin_like growth factor-1 and growth performance in pigs. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 40: 782-786.
- Jamroz, D. and Kamel, C., 2002. Plant extracts enhance broiler performance. Journal of Animal Science, 80(4): 140-148.
- Jang, I.S., Ko, Y.H., Kang, S.Y. and Lee, C.Y., 2006. Effect of commercial essential oil on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and intestinal microflora population in broiler chickens. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 134: 304-315.
- Klasing, K.C. and Johnston, B.J., 1991. Monokines in growth and development. Poultry Science, 70: 1781-1789.
- Lee, K.W., Evert, H., Kappert, H.J., Frehner, M., Losa, R. and Beynen, A.C., 2003. Effects of dietary essential oil components on growth performance, digestive enzymes and lipid metabolism in female broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 44(3): 450-457.
- Manzanillo, E.G., Baucelis, F., Kamel, C., Morales, J., Perez, J.F. and Gass, J., 2001. Effects of plant extracts on the performance and lower gut microflora of early weaned piglets. Journal of Animal Science, 1: 473-476.
- Martin, A.E.A., Dunnington, W.B., Gross, W.E., Briles, R.W. and Siegel, P.B., 1990. Production traits and allo antigen systems in lines of chickens selected for high or low antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes. Poultry Science, 69: 871-878.
- Miah, M.Y., Rehman, M.S., Islam, M.K. and Monir, M.M., 2004. Effects of saponin and L-Carnitine on the performance and reproductive fitness of male broiler. International Journal of Poultry Science, 3(8): 530-533.
- Miles, R.D., Butcher, G.D., Henry, P.R. and Littell, R.C., 2006. Effect of antibiotic growth promoters on broiler performance, intestinal growth paramerers and quantitative morphology. Poultry Science, 85: 476-485.
- Nakaue, H.S., Lowry, R.R., Cheeke, P.R. and Arscott, G.H., 1980. The effect of dietary alfalfa varying saponin content on yolk cholesterol level and layer performance. Poultry Science, 59: 2744-2748.
- Ocak, N., Erener, F., Burak, A.K., Sungu, M., Altop, A. and Ozmen, A., 2008. Performance of broilers fed diets supplemented with dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) leaves as growth promoter source. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 53(4): 169-175.
- Pedroso, A.A., Menten, J.F.M., Racanicci, A.M.C., Longo, F.A., Sorbara, J.O.B. and Gaiotto, J.B., 2003. Performance and organ morphology of broilers fed microbial or antimicrobial additives and raised in batteries or floor pens. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 5(2): 122-129.
- Platel, K. and Srinivasan, K., 2004. Stimulant action of spices: A myth or reality. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 119: 167-179.
- Roth-Maier, D.A., Böhmer, B.M., Maaß, N., Damme, K. and Paulicks, B.R., 2005. Efficiency of Echinacea purpurea on performance of broilers and layers. Journal of Arch. Geflügelk., 69(3): 123-127.
- Schranner, I., Würdinger, M., Klumpp, N., Lösch, U. and Okpanyi, S.N., 1989. Beeinflussung der aviären humoralen Immunreaktionen durch Infuex und Echinacea Angustifolia Extrakt. Journal of Veterinary Medicine B, 36: 353-364.
- Takahashi, K., Mashiko, T. and Akiba, Y., 2000. Effect of dietary concentration of xylitol on growth in male broiler chicks during immunological stress. Poultry Science, 79: 743-747.
- Tollba, A.A.H. and Hassan, M.S.H., 2003. Using some natural additives to improve physiological and productive performance of broiler chicks under high temperature condition 2-black cumin (Nigella sativa) or garlic (Allium sativum). Poultry Science, 23: 327-340.
- Tschirch, H., 2000. The use of natural plant extracts as production enhancers in modern animal rearing practices. Zeszyly Naukowe Akademici Rolniczej Wroclaw, Zootechnik, XXV(376): 25-39.
- Turner, J.L., Dritz, P.S.S. and Minton, J.E., 2001. Review: Alternatives to conventional antimicrobials in swine diets. Animal Sciences, 17: 217-226.
- Waibel, P.E., Halvorson, J.C., Noll, L.S. and Hoffbeck, S.L., 1991. Influence of virginiamycin on growth and efficiency of large white turkeys. Poultry Science, 70: 837-847.
- Yates J.D. and Schaible, P.J., 1961. The value of virginiamycin and certain other antibiotics in chick and poult rations contaminated with raw or heated faeces. Poultry Science, 40: 1-4.
- Yejuman, Y.H., Shiminghua, J., Niweiju, M.H., Yeja, M. and Shi, N.I., 1998. Effect of herbal origin bioactive substances on growth rate and some biochemical parameters in blood of broilers. Journal of Zhejiang Agricultural University, 24: 405-408.
- Zubair, A.K. and Leeson, S., 1996. Compensatory growth in the broiler chicken: a review. Journal of Poultry Science, 52: 189-201.