The effects of supplemental essential oil and/or probiotic on performance, immun System and some blood parameters in broilers

This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) essential oil and probiotic (Lactobacillus acidofilus, Lactobacillus easel, Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium (hemophilia) added to the broiler diets on performance characteristics, some blood parameters and immune system. A total of 272 male broiler chicks were used in this experiment. They were divided into one control group and three treatment group, totaly 4 group, each containing 68 male chicks. The diets of the first, second and third treatment groups were supplemented with 200 mg/kg essential oil, probiotic (1 g/kg days at 0-21; 0,5 g/kg days at 22-42) and combination of these two supplementation with same levels, respectively. There were not any supplementation to the diet of control group. The experimental period lasted 42 days. At the end of the experiment, dietary treatments which contained essential oil and essential oil with probiotic decreased feed intake and they had beter feed efficiency (p<0,01). Dietary probiotic supplemented group increased the body weight gain compared with only essential oil supplemented group (p<0,05) at 0-21 days. During the following weeks, no significant effects were observed for dietary probiotic supplementation on body weight gain. At the end of the experiment, body weight, body weight gain, carcass yield, percentages of some internal organs and abdominal fat, pH value of small intestine, total cholesterol, trigliceride of blood serum and Immoral immun response were not effected by dietary supplements.