Effect of Sumac (Rhus Coriaria L.) Fruit Powder as an Antibiotic Growth Promoter Substitution on Growth Performance, Immune Responses and Serum Lipid Profile of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Objective: The experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of different levels of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) fruit powder as an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) substitution on performance, immune responses and serum lipid profile of broiler chicks.Materials and Methods: A totally of 260 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments. The treatments consisted of basal diet (control) and basal diet with AGP (flavophospholipol), 3 or 7 g/kg sumac powder.Results: Feed consumption in broilers fed 3 and 7 g/kg sumac powder significantly decreased (P 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was significantly improved in broilers fed 7 g/kg sumac powder compared to AGP and control (P 0.05). Improvement in heterophile to lymphocyte ratio were observed in broilers fed 7 g/kg sumac powder and AGP (P 0.05).Conclusion: The results suggested that dietary inclusion of 7 g/kg sumac powder can be applied as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics for broiler chick diets.

Keywords: Broiler chick; Sumac; Performance; Immunity; Serum lipid