EFFECT OF THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS) ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS, BLOOD HEMATOLOGY AND LIPID PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKS OF BROILER CHICKS

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of thyme powder or oil extract addition to the broiler diets on productive performance, carcass characteristics and blood constituents. A total number of 180 seven day old of broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) were randomly divided into five equal experimental groups with 6 replicates of 6 birds in each for 35 day of age. The first group was served as control group without any supplementation while birds of the 2nd and 3rd groups were fed diets contained 2.5 and 5 g thyme powder/ kg diet, respectively, the 4th and 5th groups were fed diets contained 100 and 200 mg thyme oil/ kg diet, respectively. Final body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion at 35 days of age were significantly improved by thyme treatments. Results showed that birds fed 200 mg thyme oil/ kg diet had significantly better productive performance, while feed consumption was reduced compared with control group. However, percentage of dressing and other organs were increased but not significant in thyme supplemented broiler chickens. While, abdominal fat was significantly decreased by thyme groups. Supplementation of dietary thyme from different sources significantly increased hematology parameters and improved white blood cell, lymphocyte, heterophils and lymphocyte per heterophils ratio. Additionally, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein were significantly decreased with thyme groups compared to control group. While, supplementation of dietary thyme from different sources significantly increased the concentration of high density lipoprotein compared with the control group. In conclusion, thyme oil extract supplementation with 200 mg/ kg diet was improved the productive performance and physiological parameters of broiler chickens.