Abstract

Introduction: Feed ingredients have been used in the animal production industry to improve the animals’ performance. Natural compounds have been used in traditional medicine for centuries but could also serve as a feed ingredient. This study investigated the effect of berberine on the egg production of Leghorn birds.

Material and methods: Berberine were added to the feed at a 0.03 and 0.1g/kg. Leghorn birds were fed either the control feed or berberine incorporated feed for 9 weeks. Overall health and egg production was monitored.

Results: The negative control group had a higher feed intake than both berberine groups. This difference was also found in the average feed intake per bird and average feed intake per bird per day. Furthermore, there was no difference found between the experimental groups and the negative control in the egg production.

Discussion: The inclusion of berberine into the feed of the Leghorn birds did not affect the egg production. Keywords: Egg production; Feed intake; Berberine