The Effect of Lavender (<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>) Extract in Comparison to Antibiotic on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Ileal Microflora, Antioxidant Status and Meat Quality of Broilers

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lavender (<em>Lavandula angustifolia</em>)extract as an alternative to flavophospholipol on performance, carcass characteristics, antioxidant status,meat quality, intestinal morphology and ileal microflora of broilers. A total of 220 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments each replicated four times (11 birds per replicate) for 42 days. Experimental diets consisted of a basal diet without any additives as a control group and supplemented with flavophospholipol (100 ppm) or three levels of lavender extract (200, 300 or 400 ppm). Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured during the starter (1- 10 d), grower (11- 24 d) and finisher (25-42 d) periods. Meat quality indices and jejunum histomorphology were analyzed at 42 days of age. In addition to the mentioned measurements, ileal contents were assayed for <em>Coliforms</em> and <em>Lactobacillus </em>strains. The results revealed that lavender extract at 400 ppm level significantly increased feed intake during the whole rearing period, especially in finisher period and also improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the grower, finisher and entire rearing periods. There were no significant differences in the carcass traits and the relative weight of internal organs of the broilers (including breast, thighs, liver, heart, gizzard and abdominal fat). All lavender supplementation levels significantly decreased crypt depth and increased villus height: crypt depth ratio compared to the control group. The <em>Coliform</em> counts in the ileal digesta significantly decreased in birds fed with 400 ppm lavender extract. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance and cooking loss were significantly decreased by supplementing the basal diet with 300 or 400 ppm lavender extract. In overall, the results of this experiment showed that lavender extract, esp. at 400 ppm level, could be used as a good alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in the diet of broiler chickens.