Effects of dietary supplementation of Ferulago angulata (Schlecht.) Boiss powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and gut microflora and pH in broiler chicks

This study was conducted to examine the effects of powder of aerial parts of Ferulago angulata (FA) on performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal development and microflora of broilers. A total of 126 1-day-old straight run broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned randomly into three dietary groups each with three replicates of 14 chicks. The dietary groups included a corn-soybean meal basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 0.1 or 0.2 % FA powder. The experiment lasted for 42 days. In the overall period, chicks fed diets supplemented with FA gained more (P < 0.05) weight than those fed the control diet and the highest weight gain was found in those fed on diet with 0.1 % FA. Feed conversion ratio was improved (P < 0.05) by FA supplementation at both levels. The weight of abdominal fat was decreased (P < 0.05) by FA supplementation at 0.1 %. No difference (P > 0.05) in pH of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract, and Lactobacillus strains and Escherichia coli numbers in the ileal and cecal contents were found between the treatment and control groups. The results suggested that the FA powder could be used as a dietary supplement for improving the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers.
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research