The synergetic effects of some phytobiotics mix on growth, hematology and microbial loads of broiler chickens.

This study investigated the growth and health-promoting effectiveness of three medicinal plants (black cumin, fenugreek, and turmeric) on broilers. A total of 270 (Cobb 500) day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments: basal diet ( T 0 ), basal diet + oxytetracycline ( T 1 ), basal diet + black cumin and fenugreek ( T 2 ), basal diet + black cumin and turmeric ( T 3 ), basal diet + fenugreek and turmeric ( T 4 ), basal diet + black cumin, fenugreek and turmeric ( T 5 ). BWG and ADG had no differences ( p  ≥ 0.05) between T 5 and antibiotics-fed birds. Phytobiotic supplemented birds ( T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , and T 5 ) had lower feed intake and higher FCR ( T 3 and T 5 ) than controls T 0 and T 1 ( p  ≤ 0.05). Comparable ( p  ≥ 0.05) RBC counts were observed between birds fed phytobiotics ( T 2 and T 4 ) and fed an antibiotic ( T 1 ), likewise, there were no ( p  ≥ 0.05) differences between T 0 and birds fed phytobiotics ( T 3 and T 5 ). A mixture of phytobiotics ( T 2 , T 4 , and T 5 ) outperformed in lowering total coliform and E. coli bacteria in the cecum than antibiotics ( p  ≤ 0.05). A mixture of the three phytobiotics can replace commercial antibiotics and have a favorable effect on broiler growth and health by safeguarding human health from the negative effects of antibiotic residue in broiler products.