Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of Satureja hortensis L. (Savory) medicinal plant dried aerial part powder on growth performance, carcass traits, immune cells and blood biochemical parameters of broilers. Three hundred broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design in five treatments and three replicates (20 birds per replicate) for a period of 42 days. The treatment groups consisted of a control group (1) with no S. hortensis L. supplementation, and 2, 3, 4 and 5 experimental groups with 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% of S. hortensis L. in the feedstuff. Results obtained indicated a significant differences between treatments on growth performance and carcass traits (p<0.05). The highest daily feed intake (94.86 g) was obtained by using 2% of S. hortensis L. the highest gizzard percent (3.22%) obtained in control group whereas the lowest percent of gizzard (2.52 %) was observed in group 3 by inclusion 1.5% of S. hortensis L. in broiler diets. Using different levels of S. hortensis L. did not have significant effects on immune cells response and blood biochemical parameters were unaltered among all treatments of broilers.

Key words: Antibiotic alternatives, blood metabolites, medicinal plant, Satureja hortensis L.