Effect of Coneflower, Neem, and Thyme Extracts on Growth Performance, Blood Chemistry, Immunity and Intestinal Microbial Population of Broilers

This study investigated the effects of herbal extracts on growth performance, organ development, immunity parameters and intestinal microbial population of broilers. A total of 840 (one day old, initial weight 45±2 g) broiler chicks were divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates having 28 chicks in each. The control group (G1) fed with basal diet, and the antibiotic group (G2) was added with 15 mg/kg virginiamycin, while herbal extracts were given coneflower 20 mL/L (G3), neem 20 mL/L (G4), and thyme 20 mL/L (G5), respectively, in drinking water. The results showed that G3 presented significant results (P<0.05) on parameters like feed intake, body weight, weight of bursa of fabricius, weight of the small intestine, blood parameters as compared to the G2 group. As for as intestinal microbiota population concerned G5 decreased the Escherichia coli (E. coli) contents while, G4 increased the Lactobacillus contents. In conclusion, coneflower improved feed conversion ratio compared to virginiamycin in broilers while neem and thyme were the most effective in the enhancement of immune parameters, serum chemistry and E. coli contents.