Effect of powder and hydroalcoholic extract of Carum copticum in comparision to growth promoters Virginiamycin antibiotic on performance, blood metabolites, intestinal morphology and meat quality of broiler chicks

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of using powder and hydroalcoholic extract of Carum copticum on growth performance, blood parameters, relative weight of internal organs, intestinal microflora, intestinal histomorphology and meat quality in broilers in comparison to Virginiamycin antibiotic. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments, 3 replicates and 12 birds in each replicates. Experimental treatments consisted of control diet (without any additives), antibiotic virginiamycin (100 mg/kg), Carum copticum powder (1, 2 and 3%) and Carum copticum extract (150, 250 and 350 mg/kg). Based on the results, in 1-42 d period, supplementing diets with virginiamycin, 1% powder and 350 mg/kg extract improved body weight gain and FCR. Blood parameters and the relative weight of carcass components (back, heart, liver, abdominal fat, gizzard, and pancreas) were not significantly affected by the treatments. Using 1% powder and different levels of the extract reduced the coliform bacteria population in the small intestine in compare to the control. Different levels of powder significantly increased villus height and crypt depth in compare to the control and virginiamycin treatments. Supplementing diets with 1 or 2% powder and different levels of theextract significantly reduced TBA. In conclusion, Carum copticum powder (1%) and extract (350 mg/kg) can be used as a good alternative to replace with growth promoters antibiotics.