USE OF A PHYTOGENIC FEED BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ADDITIVE IN THE DIETS OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

Due to global antibiotic resistance and the ban on antibiotic growth promoters in livestock feed, safe and effective alternatives are urgently needed in a number of countries. Phytogenic feed additives are recognized as a promising alternative due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and growth-promoting properties, as well as the absence of microbial resistance and the accumulation of toxic residues in products. The aim of the research was to study the effect of a new herbal-based phytogenic additive on the performance characteristics and morpho-biochemical blood status of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on KOBB-500 broiler chickens, divided into two groups of 160 birds each. The control group received the basic diet (BD), while the experimental group received the BD supplemented with 40.0 ml of phytogenic additive per 1 kg of feed from day 1 to 40 days of age. The supplement contained extracts of stinging nettle, wild chamomile, coltsfoot and Bacillus subtilis. It was found that the absolute live weight gain in the experimental group was 6,32% higher (p ≤ 0,05), livestock survival rate was 96,25% versus 95,0% in the control group, and feed costs per 1 kg of gain were 3,36% lower. In the blood of broilers in the experimental group, an increase of erythrocytes by 7,17% (p ≤ 0,05) and hemoglobin by 5,19% (p ≤ 0,05), an increase in total protein by 2,29%, albumins by 5,73%, globulins by 2,86%, and the albumin-globulin coefficient by 2,78% were observed. Conclusion: the inclusion of a phytogenic supplement in the diet has a positive effect on the performance characteristics and morpho-biochemical status of the blood of broiler chickens.