DIETARY GRAPE POMACE AND RED OSIER DOGWOOD EXTRACT – EFFECTS ON THE GROWTH AND INTESTINAL HEALTH OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

With the relentless search for antibiotic alternatives, phytogenic additives have shown such alternative potential. Three experiments were undertaken to study the effect of grape pomace (GP) and red osier dogwood (ROD) extract on broiler chickens’ growth performance, blood profile, and intestinal functions with or without Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) or SE-lipopolysaccharides (SE-LPS). In experiment 1, broiler chickens fed 2.5%GP as an antibiotic-alternative had enhanced growth, gut morphology, and cecal Bacteroides and Lactobacillus. In experiment 2 with SE-LPS challenge, 0.3% and 0.5% ROD extract were fed to challenged and unchallenged broiler chickens with sustained growth performance in the same capacity of antibiotics, improved ileal morphology, and promoted the proliferation of cecal Lactobacillus and Streptococcus. In experiment 3 involving SE infection, 0.3% and 0.5% ROD extract maintained growth performance and duodenal morphology, and improved leukocytes, monocytes, and immunoglobulin M. In conclusion, GP and ROD extract could possibly replace antibiotics in broiler chickens production.