Comparison between Effects of Addition of Salvia mirzayanii Essence with Virginiamycin on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Blood Factors and some Immune Parameters of Broiler Chickens

In order to investigate effects of addition of Salvia mirzayanii essence and comparison with antibiotic an experiment was conducted as dietary a completely of the randomized design with 5 treatments، and 5 replicates with 12 chickens per replicate for 42 days with treatments control، virginiamycin antibiotic 10% (100 ppm) and three levels of S. mirzayanii essence (200، 400 and 600 ppm). Weight gain and feed intake recorded weekly and carcass characteristics analysis and blood parameters were determined at 28 and 42 days of age. Highest weight gain was observed at the level of 200 ppm essence at the 22-42 days of age (grower phase) and at1-42 days of age (total of experiment)، 200 and 600 ppm essence showed the highest results. Feed intake was highest in 200 and 600ppm essence level in the grower phase as well as overall. Best feed conversion ratio at the grower phase and total of experiment observed in the 200 ppm essence treatment. Gizzard and gastrointestinal tract weights significantly decreased with addition of antibiotic. This essence significantly decreased cholesterol، HDL and LDL. Bursa of fabricius weight was significantly highest at level of 400 ppm essence and lowest at the level of 600 ppm. Dietary addition of essence significantly decreased blood eosinofil. The results of this experiment showed that S. mirzayanii essence could be used as growth promoter and using low levels of the essence could improve performance and immune system.