Evaluation of Anherbal Compound, a Commercial Probiotic, and an Antibiotic Growth Promoter on the Performance, Intestinal Bacterial Population, Antibody Titers, and Morphology of the Jejunum and Ileum of broilers

ABSTRACT The current study was conducted to examine the effects of an herbal compound, a probiotic and an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on the performance, intestinal bacterial population, antibody titers, and morphology of the jejunum and ileum of broilers. A number of 240 male Ross 308 broilers were distributed into four treatments, with five replicates of 12 bird each. The experimental period was 42 days. Treatments includes: 1) basal diet; 2) basal diet supplemented with an AGP (phospho-flavomycin at 450 mg/kg of diet); 3) basal diet supplemented with a Lactobacillus-containing probiotic (250 mg/kg of diet); and 4) basal diet supplemented with an herbal compound (containing thyme, oregano, chamomile, and peppermint essential oils at 1 g/kg of diet). Body weight (BW) and cumulative feed intake (CFI) were measured weekly. Blood parameters, intestinal morphology, vaccine immunity titers, and intestinal microbial population were measured on day 42. The results showed that probiotic and herbal compound supplementation significantly increased body weight (BW) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p