Enhancing Feed Efficiency by Phytogenic Feed Additive: Implications on Digestive Functions, Gut Inflammation, Intestinal Maturation and Litter Nitrogen Levels in Broiler Chicken
Bharathi Bethapudi1*, Prashanth D’souza2, Deepak Mundkinajeddu3 and Vasudha Kuncham4
1Assistant General Manager, Animal Health Sciences Division, Research and Development Department, Natural Remedies Private Limited, # 5b,
Veerasandra Industrial Area, Electronic City Phase-II, Bengaluru, 560100, India
2Research and Development Department, Natural Remedies Private Limited, # 5b, Veerasandra Industrial Area, Electronic City Phase-II, Bengaluru, 560100, India
3Head of Research and Development Department, Natural Remedies Private Limited, # 5b, Veera Sandra Industrial Area, Electronic City Phase-II, Bengaluru, 560100, India
4Scientist, Animal Health Science, Research and Development Department, Natural Remedies Private Limited, # 5b, Veerasandra Industrial Area, Electronic City Phase-II, Bengaluru, 560100, India
*Corresponding Author: Bharathi Bethapudi, Assistant General Manager, Animal Health Sciences Division, Research and Development Department, Natural Remedies Private Limited, # 5b, Veerasandra Industrial Area, Electronic City Phase-II, Bengaluru, 560100, India.
Received:
March 21, 2025; Published: April 30, 2025
Abstract
The enhancement of feed efficiency through optimum nutrient utilization would reduce the amount of feed required for growth, feed cost, and nitrogenous wastes. Hence, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of phytogenic feed additive (PFA) at different inclusion levels on improving the feed efficiency in Cobb 430 broilers. The experimental birds were housed in a completely randomized block design having 5 groups namely normal control, negative control, PFA400, PFA500 and PFA600 of 6 replicates comprising 25 birds each and fed with standard and experimental diets containing PFA at 400, 500 and 600g/ton feed respectively. The normal control birds were provided 0.046m2/bird from days 1-21 and 0.093m2/bird from days 22-42 floor space per bird. Birds in negative control, PFA400, PFA500 and PFA600 were maintained at high stocking density (0.027m2/bird from day 1-21 and 0.055m2/bird from day 22-42). On day 39, the performance parameters, carcass traits, serum biochemical, gut inflammation, intestinal maturation markers, digestive enzymes and litter nitrogen were analysed. The inclusion of PFA at 400g/ton produced an optimum improvement in the performance parameters and carcass yield. Serum triglycerides, cholesterol, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein and litter nitrogen levels were decreased, while serum protein, intestinal alkaline phosphatase and digestive enzymes were increased upon supplementation with PFA. Inclusion of PFA at 400g/ton of feed resulted in improved feed efficiency through improving the nutrient utilization by modulating the digestive enzymes and intestinal maturation, and amelioration of gut inflammation. However, the underlying mechanisms required more in-depth characterization with further investigation.
Keywords: Broilers; Feed Efficiency; Phytogenic Feed Additive; Gut Inflammation; Intestinal Maturation; Digestive Enzymes
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