Effects of Bioherbal Compounds on Performance and Intestinal Characteristics of Laying Chickens

Abstract

Since the European Union banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry feed in 2006 (EC Regulation No 1831/2003), alternative feed additives have been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a bioherbal combination of probiotics and phytobiotics as a feed additive in drinking water on the performance and intestinal characteristics of male laying chickens. The study was performed on 200 male laying chickens for 60 days. This research method was a field experiment with a completely randomized design, consisting of four treatments and five replications. The treatments were T0 (drinking water without bioherbal, control), T1 (control + bioherbal code 1 M), T2 (control + bioherbal code 2 H), and T3 (control + bioherbal combination of 1M and 2H). The investigated parameters included growth performance and intestinal profile of the male laying chickens. The addition of bioherbal increased the number of villi in the intestines of the male laying chickens; however, there was no significant difference among other parameters. It can be concluded that the addition of bioherbal code 2H as a feed additive with a composition of herbal leaves can improve the performance and intestinal characteristics of male laying chickens.