Abstract

RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKS TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL

Issam Sir Elkhatim Ibrahim, Mukhtar Ahmed Mukhtar* and K. A. Mohamed

ABSTRACT

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of broiler chicks to diets supplemented with different levels of essential oils alone and/or a combination of them extracted from eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus Essential Oil, EEO) as natural feed additives. 112 day old, unsexed broiler chicks, Aber acre strain, were used in each experiment. Chicks were divided into four groups of 28 chicks in each experiment and each treatment group was subdivided into three replicates. The first group was fed on control diet, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were fed on diets supplemented with eucalyptus essential oil at 200, 400 and 600mg/kg diet, The experiment parameters covered growth performance, carcass and non- carcass values, serum constituents, enzyme activities and economical appraisal. The results showed that inclusion of EEO at 400mg/kg significantly improved body weight, body weight gain and feed intake compared to control group. However, there were no significant effects on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality rate. The results indicated that there were no significant differences among all treated groups in internal organs, commercial cuts, their separable tissues and the subjective and objective of meat quality parameters. The results of serum metabolites showed that inclusion of EEO at different levels significantly reduced the total protein, cholesterol and urine acid concentrations. However, the treatment effect on electrolytes and enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) activities was not significantly compared to control group. The result of economical evaluation of EEO in broiler diets showed economical benefits. However, 400mg/kg EEO recorded (1.14) profitability ratio. As a whole 400mg/kg EEO recorded the highest profitability ratio of the tested levels followed by 400mg/kg of eucalyptus essential oils.

Keywords: Fenugreek essential oil, serum metabolite and electrolyte.