Performance of broiler chickens supplemented with Mexican oregano oil (Lippia berlandieri Schauer)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the inclusion of two qualities of Mexican oregano oil (MOO) in broiler diets on broiler weight, feed intake, feed efficiency, average daily gain, and water in take. The qualities were MOO 1 (4% thymol, 60% carvacrol) and MOO 2 (40% thymol, 20% carvacrol). Nine treatments were prepared by the combinations of MOO 1 + MOO 2 (0, 400, and 800 mg kg -1; added per kg of feed) respectively: 0+0, 0+400, 0+800, 400+0, 400+400, 400+800, 800+0, 800+400, and 800+800. Eighteen chicks per treatment were divided in a completely randomized design into nine cages. Broiler weights were altered by the treatments at 21 d, when 400+400 had the highest weight, and on day 39, when the greatest weight was seen in broilers on treatments 800+0 and 800+400. Feed intake was affected by treatment on day 39, with broilers on 800+0 exhibiting the highest values. Water intake was influenced by the treatment sondays 14, 21, 35, and 39, when 0+0 represented the lowest. Feed efficiency was altered by the treatment sondays 14, 28, 35, and 39, where as average daily gain was affected from days 14 to 39. Supplementation of Mexican oregano oil has beneficial effects on broiler weight, feed efficiency, average daily gain, and feed and water intakes. Combinations of thymol and carvacrol levels have varying effects on these parameters. The higher relative body weights of groups 400+0, 800+0, and 800+400 suggest positive market value effects of these combinations of Mexican oregano oil.