Inulin and oligofructose that are used in animal nutrition originate from chicory roots. Chicory fructans were shown to be prebiotic (selectively interacting with intestinal bacterial ecosystem) in humans and in ani...Inulin and oligofructose that are used in animal nutrition originate from chicory roots. Chicory fructans were shown to be prebiotic (selectively interacting with intestinal bacterial ecosystem) in humans and in animals, including livestock and pets. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of chicory and satureja hortensis root powders, which are commonly used as alternative to antibiotics, on performance and carcass characteristic of broilers. The study included 280 Ross 308 male broiler chicks (1-day old at the beginning of the study). There were 7 treatment groups, each consisting of 4 replicates (10 chicks in each replicate). Chicory root powder (CRP) were added in 2%, 4% and 6% doses and satureja hortensis root powder (SHRP) were added in 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% doses to starter and grower diets. The experiment lasted 42 days. Results showed that adding 2% of chicory root powder to the diet rather than control group, had significant effect on body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR). All treatments of SHRP rather than control group significantly decreased FCR and feed intake. Treating with 6% CRP in days 1 to 21 in contrast to control group significantly decreased feed intake, but hadn't significant effect on FCR. Consequently we concluded that, using 2% CRP and different levels of SHRP had significant effect on performance and carcass characteristics of broilers.展开更多
文摘Inulin and oligofructose that are used in animal nutrition originate from chicory roots. Chicory fructans were shown to be prebiotic (selectively interacting with intestinal bacterial ecosystem) in humans and in animals, including livestock and pets. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of chicory and satureja hortensis root powders, which are commonly used as alternative to antibiotics, on performance and carcass characteristic of broilers. The study included 280 Ross 308 male broiler chicks (1-day old at the beginning of the study). There were 7 treatment groups, each consisting of 4 replicates (10 chicks in each replicate). Chicory root powder (CRP) were added in 2%, 4% and 6% doses and satureja hortensis root powder (SHRP) were added in 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% doses to starter and grower diets. The experiment lasted 42 days. Results showed that adding 2% of chicory root powder to the diet rather than control group, had significant effect on body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR). All treatments of SHRP rather than control group significantly decreased FCR and feed intake. Treating with 6% CRP in days 1 to 21 in contrast to control group significantly decreased feed intake, but hadn't significant effect on FCR. Consequently we concluded that, using 2% CRP and different levels of SHRP had significant effect on performance and carcass characteristics of broilers.