Phytobiotics as antibiotic substitutes in poultry meat production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three phytogenic feed additives on broiler growth performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology and meat sensory attributes. 240 one-day-old, unsexed Cobb500 broilers were divided into four groups: with control feed ICI, with control feed with phytobiotic containing thymol [PFA I], with control feed with phytobiotic containing cinnamaldehyde and thymol [PFA H] or with control feed with phytobiotic which contain cumin, mint, clove and anise [PFAIII]. They were fed until 42 days of age. The phytobiotic additives decreased feed intake, while body weight and weight gain (P < 0.05) were higher compared with the control group of broilers. The best weight gain had broilers fed with phytobiotic containing thymol. The feed conversion was improved by the administration of phytogenic feed additives (P < 0.051. Broilers fed phytogenic additives had increased villus height in duodenum and ileum, increased villus width in ileum and cecum, and lower decal crypt depth compared to the control group. Meat from the control broilers achieved the lowest sensory acceptability scores, while meat from birds fed the thymol plus cinnamaldehyde supplemented diet had the best odor and flavor. This study provides additional evidence that phytogenic feed additive consumption could have overall beneficial effects.