Effect of Adding Some Essential Oils in Broiler Diets

Abstract

Four experiments were carried out to evaluate the response of broiler chicks to diets supplemented with different levels of essential oils alone and/or a combination of them extracted from different medicinal plants including: fennel seeds (Fennel Essential Oil, FEO), eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus Essential Oil, EEO), fenugreek seeds (Fenugreek Essential Oil, Fe EO) and a combination of them (1:1:1) as natural feed additives. 336 day old, unsexed broiler chicks, Aber acre strain, were used. Chicks were divided into four experimental groups of 84 chicks in each experiment and each experiment treatment group was subdivided into four groups and each group was subdivided into three replicates. The first experimental group was fed on control diet supplemented with fennel essential oil at levels of 0.00. 200, 400 and 600mg/kgdiet, the second experimental group was fed on control diet supplemented with eucalyptus essential oil at 0.00,200, 400 and 600mg/kg diet, the third experimental group was fed on control diet supplemented with fenugreek essential oil at 0.00, 200, 400 and 600mg/kg diet and the fourth experimental group was fed on control diet supplemented with a combination of essential oils from fennel, eucalyptus and fenugreek (1:1:1) at the same levels. The experiment parameters covered growth performance, carcass and non- carcass values, serum constituents, enzyme activities and economical appraisal. The results showed that inclusion of essential oils tested alone or in combination at 400mg/kg significantly improved body weight, body weight gain and feed intake compared to control group. However, there were no significant effects on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality rate. The results indicated that there were no significant differences among all treatment groups in internal organs, commercial cuts and their separable tissues and the subjective and objective of meat quality parameters. The results of serum metabolites showed that inclusion of different essential oils alone and/or in XIV combination at different levels significantly reduced the total protein, cholesterol and urine acid. However, the treatment effect on electrolytes and enzymes activities was not significantly in SGOT and SGPI enzymes activities compared to control group. The result of economical evaluation of the tested essential oils alone or in combination in broiler diets showed economical benefits. All levels of fenugreek essential oil (200, 400, and 600mg/kg) recorded profitability ratio (1.03, 1.02 and 1.07) respectively while, (400 and 600mg/kg) fennel essential oil recorded (1.187 and 1.045) profitability ratio respectively. However, 400mg/kg essential oils of eucalyptus and mixture oil recorded (1.14 and 1.027) profitability ratio respectively. As a whole 400mg/kg fennel essential oil recorded the highest profitability ratio of the tested groups followed by 400mg/kg of eucalyptus essential oils.