Enhancing meat-type chicken performance through <i>Thymus vulgaris</i> leaf powder supplementation by affecting serum lipid profile, stress physiology, immunity, antioxidants, cecal microbiology, and jejunal histomorphology
<p>This study investigates the potential of <i>Thymus vulgaris</i> as feed additive in broiler chicken. A total of 200 Vencobb male broiler chicks 1 week of age were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatments: T1 (control) fed basal diet only, T2 (basal diet <span class=&quo...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Archives Animal Breeding |
| Online Access: | https://aab.copernicus.org/articles/68/311/2025/aab-68-311-2025.pdf |
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| Summary: | <p>This study investigates the potential of <i>Thymus vulgaris</i> as feed additive in broiler chicken. A total of 200 Vencobb male broiler chicks 1 week of age were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatments: T1 (control) fed basal diet only, T2 (basal diet <span class="inline-formula">+1</span> % thyme powder), T3 (basal diet <span class="inline-formula">+1</span>.5 % thyme powder), and T4 (basal diet <span class="inline-formula">+2</span> % thyme powder). Each group contained 5 replicates, and each replicate had 10 birds fed with a maize–soybean-based diet for 42 d. Our results show that during the overall period (7–42 d), the T4 group exhibited significantly (<span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i><0.05</span>) higher body weight gain (BWG) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). Supplementing thyme powder significantly (<span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i><0.05</span>) decreased the levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides (LDL) compared to the control group. Birds receiving dietary thyme powder at a 2 % dose (T4) had significantly (<span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i><0.05</span>) raised serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and better anti-SRBC (sheep red blood cell) titre and cell-mediated immunity. Supplementation of thyme powder resulted in significantly (<span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i><0.05</span>) better antioxidant status in birds. Regarding the cecal microbiology, coliforms decreased (<span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i><0.05</span>) and lactobacilli increased (<span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i><0.05</span>) notably in thyme groups with high significance in the T4 group. Jejunal villus height increased significantly (<span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i><0.05</span>) in the T4 group compared to the control. In conclusion, supplementation of thyme powder at 2 % could serve as promising feed additive for improving the production performance and gut health of broiler chicken.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 0003-9438 2363-9822 |