Effects of Medicinal Plants on Production Performance in the Broiler Chicken

Medicinal Plants (phytogenic) have been reported to cure and treat various disease condition in human and animals since ancient time. Ashayerizadeh et al. (2009) reported that phytogenic and its active constituents supplementation in poultry ration may have positive effects on feed consumption, immunity and digestive enzymes. It also use as antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory in vertebrates to combat different sort of illness.

Poultry industry of Pakistan play important role providing egg and meat protein in affordable rates for human consumption. Feed efficiency and survivability of the layers is a key factor for profitable farming. Better feed efficiency, egg production and survivability lead to boost-up the economy and ensure the availability of cheap source of the animal/egg protein for consumption. Poultry feed supplementation with herbal extract significantly improved the overall performance and also reduced mortality percentage (Attia et al. 2017). Medicinal plants as feed additive in meat type bird’s ration significantly improved the bird’s overall performance in terms of body weight gain (B.W-gain), FCR and feed intake (FI) (Rezaei et al. 2014). Feizi et al. (2014) documented that chicken’s ration supplemented with medicinal plant (thyme) extract brought 3% improvement in body weight with 2.2% improved FCR. Supplementation of fenugreek seeds in bird’s ration improve FCR but negative effect the feed consumption and cause decline in egg production in laying hens (Assefa 2012). Elbushra (2012) observed that fenugreek supplementation in broiler ration significantly improve FCR and B.W-gain in experimental birds. Maroof et al. (2012) determined that herbal water base infusion @ 12.5g/litter of water significantly optimize B.W-gain, FCR, FI and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens. Essential oil from plant kingdom has good effect on carcass traits, reported by Khaksar et al. (2012). Rahimi et al. (2011) reported that medicinal plants extracts significantly improved the overall performance of birds. Feed added medicinal plant improved the carcass quality, percentage and reduced the abdominal fat (Sedghi et al. 2010). Al-Kassie (2010) documented that supplementation of bird’s ration with paperment brought positive effect on overall performance of birds. Ocak et al. (2008) reported that broiler feed supplemented with herbal product, significantly improved the overall performance. Abaza (2007) reported that fenugreek seeds powder supplementation in ration of laying birds significantly improve egg number and egg mass. Abdel–Latif et al. (2002) reported that fenugreek seeds supplementation @ 1000g per ton of feed improved feed conversion ratio while feed consumption values were declined.

Poultry ration supplemented with herbal extract significantly improved the antibody titre against the virual dieases and act as immunstamulant in broiler chicken (Attia et al. 2017). Vivian et al. (2015) observed improved cellular immunity and production performance in broiler chicks that were treated with feed supplemented with garlic and ginger. Manafi et al. (2014): Rafiee et al. (2013) reported that phytogenic have some compounds that have antiviral activities which increased the immunity status and antibody titre against the Newcastle disease. Supplementation of bird’s ration with herbal extract (peppermint) significantly improve and maintain the integrity the immune status/cells (Awaad et al. 2010). Javed et al. (2009) documented that water based infusion of Zingiberofficinale, Carumapticum, withaniasomnifera, T-foenumgraecum, Silybummarianum, Allium sativum and Berberis lycium improve feed conversation ratio (FCR) and body weight in birds. Non-significant results on overall performance (gain in body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake) were recorded by Chand et al. (2005) in broilers by feeding different levels of Berberis lycium. Ramakrishna et al. (2003) documented that medicinal plants improve the gastro-intestinal motility, nutrients digestibly at ileal region and cause increases the pancreatic lipase and amylase activities/secretion.