Enhancing growth performance and innate immunity in broiler chickens through combined probiotic and herbal supplementation.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the use of probiotics and phytogenic supplements in animal husbandry has grown significantly to improve animal health and productivity.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with a probiotic alone and in combination with three medicinal herbs-milk thistle (Silybum marianum), nettle (Urtica dioica), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) on broiler chicken growth performance, biochemical blood, and key innate immune parameters.

METHODS

An experimental, completely randomized design was conducted with 180 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers, allocated into three groups of 60 birds each with 3 replications. The feeding trial lasted from day 1 to 42 days of age. The groups were: basal diet (control), basal diet + probiotic, and basal diet + probiotic + herbs. The key parameters included body weight, blood biochemical indicators, and immune markers.

RESULTS

Probiotic and herbal supplementation significantly improved broiler growth during days 1-14 and 29-42 (p <; 0.05), with the highest values observed in the group receiving the combined supplementation. The biochemical parameters, including glucose, total protein, and lipids, showed favorable changes in the supplemented groups. Immune indicators (Alternative Pathway of Complement Activation, lysozyme, and beta-lysins) were increased in the third group compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

The combined supplementation of probiotics and herbs positively affects broiler growth and the immune system. The results support the potential of this combination as a natural alternative to antibiotics for improving poultry health and productivity. Future studies should assess the effects in larger flocks, with different additive doses, and include a comparative antibiotic group to more precisely determine their efficacy and practical applicability.