COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF MINT, SAGE, THYME AND FLAVOMYCIN IN WHEAT-BASED BROILER DIETS

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the effects of mint, sage, thyme and flavomycin in wheat-based (400g wheat/kg diet) enzyme supplemented broiler diets on growth performance, organ weights and some blood parameters. One hundred and five, 1-d-old male broiler chicks (Ross) was divided into five groups of 21 chicks each. The chicks were housed on a per wire-floored cage until 42 d of age. A replicate was an individual cage with one bird. The feeding regime consisted of a starter diet until 21 d of age and a finisher diet until 42 d of age. There were five treatment groups: control, flavomycin, mint powder; sage powder and thyme powder. The supplements were not added to diets after 35 d of age. Birds received flavomycin diet gained more body weight and consumed more feed than birds received control diet or herbal powders supplemented diets. Birds fed flavomycin had better feed conversion ratio than birds fed mint, sage or thyme powder contained diets. The sage powder had a negative effect on feed conversion ratio of birds compared to control or flavomycin. The dietary treatments did not significant effect on the relative weights of pancreas, spleen, liver and heart. Feeding either flavomycin or herbal powders did not change the blood IgB, IgM, HGB, HCT, WBC and BA levels. However, IgC, RBC, NE, LY, MO, EO, PLT and MPV were significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, the three herbal powders in wheat-based had no additional effect on the growth performance of broiler chickens.