Protected organic acid and essential oils for broilers raised under field conditions: intestinal health biomarkers and cecal microbiota

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of protected organic acids and essential oils [P(OA + EO)] on the intestinal health of broiler chickens raised under field conditions. The study was conducted on 4 commercial farms. Each farm consisted of 4 barns, 2 barns under a control diet and 2 tested barns supplemented with P(OA + EO), totaling 16 barns (8 control and 8 under P(OA + EO). Overall, the inclusion of P(OA + EO), and removal of AGP, in the diets of commercially raised broiler chickens beneficially changed the phenotype of the jejunum as shown by the lowered histopathology scores which characterizes an improved intestinal health. Furthermore, P(OA + EO) significantly reduced the serum concentration of several inflammatory biomarkers, while maintaining the diversity and composition of the cecal microbiota similar to AGP fed chickens and reducing the prevalence of AMR genes