Evaluation of Herbal Extracts on Performance, Survivability, and Gut Microflora of Broiler Chickens: An Antibiotic-Free Alternative
Abdisamad Hassan Hussein1*, Md. Zahirul Islam2, Jafor Raihan2, Md. Sumon Ali2, Syed Sarwar Jahan2, Md. Shariful Islam2*
Livestock Research Today 2(1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/livestock.2110093
Submitted: 15 January 2024 Revised: 21 March 2024 Published: 22 March 2024
Abstract
Background: The use of herbal extracts as natural growth promoters has gained attention as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry farming. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aloe vera, neem leaves, and ginger extracts, as well as their combination, on the production performance, carcass characteristics, survivability, and gut microflora of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 150 day-old Lohman IR straight-run commercial broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups: T1 (Control), T2 (Aloe vera extract, 3 ml/L), T3 (Ginger extract, 3 ml/L), T4 (Neem leaves extract, 2 ml/L), and T5 (Cocktail of herbal extracts, 4.5 ml/L). Each group had three replications, with 10 chicks per replication. Performance parameters including feed intake, live weight (LW), live weight gain (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), water consumption, carcass yield, survivability, and gut microflora composition were assessed. Microbial analysis was conducted to identify pathogens in the gut samples. Results: Significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed in feed intake, LW, and LWG among the treatment groups. However, no significant differences were found in water consumption, FCR, and carcass yield. The survivability rate was highest in T3, T4, and T5 (100%), and lowest in the control group (99.5%). Microbial analysis revealed the presence of E. coli and Salmonella in the control group, Staphylococcus in T2 and T3, and Salmonella and Streptococcus in T4 and T5. Notably, herbal supplementation removed E. coli and Salmonella in T2, T3, and T5 samples. Conclusion: The supplementation of aloe vera, ginger, neem leaf extracts, and their combination improved the production performance of broiler chickens without negatively impacting carcass characteristics, survivability, or gut health. These herbal extracts can serve as effective, antibiotic-free alternatives to promote growth and gut health in poultry.
Keywords: Antibiotics-free, herbal extracts, survivability, production performance, supplementation, alternative
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