Performance, hemato-biochemical indices and oxidative stress markers of broiler chicken fed phytogenic during heat stress condition
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology
Abstract
Thermal stress is a tremendous health predicament encountered by poultry farmers with
adverse effects on the performance, product stature, health condition, survival, and overall
welfare of poultry birds, and so requires urgent dietary user-friendly strategy to curb. This
study was conducted with 200-day old broilers for the purpose of investigating the potential
of phytogenics in refining the negative effects of heat stress on broiler chicken. Moringa,
Phyllanthus and mistletoe leaves were processed as phytogenic supplements and incorpo rated into standard ration for broilers as treatments B1 (control), B2, B3 and B4 diet during
the peak of thermal discomfort in humid tropics. Growth and carcass indices were monitored
in a 49-day trial and blood samples were harvested at the end of the ordeal period to assess
haematology, serum biochemical and oxidative stress markers with the use of standard pro cedures. The results obtained showed that the prevailing environmental condition in the study
site indicated that the birds were exposed to heat stress. Birds fed on moringa and mistletoe
supplements had higher performance index than birds without supplementation during heat
stress condition, while birds fed on mistletoe supplement had the highest survival rate across
the treatments. The liveweight, slaughter weight, dressed weight and eviscerated weight of
heat stressed birds fed on moringa, phyllanthus and mistletoe supplements were significantly
higher than birds on control treatment. Heterophyl/lymphocyte ratio of heat stressed birds
without supplement were higher than birds on phytogenic supplements, with least values
recorded in phyllanthus and mistletoe fed birds. Birds on phytogenic supplement tend to
have lower cholesterol profile, lipid peroxidation and better antioxidant profile than birds on
control treatment during heat stress conditions. Mistletoe supplementation in broiler ration
enhances the survival rate, as well as promotes growth indices better among the phytogenic
supplements. However, phytogenic supplements did ameliorate the negative effects of thermal discomfort on performance, physiological and oxidative stress in heat-stressed broiler
chicken.