Effect of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) on performance and intestine morphology of broilers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and especially chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) leaves on performance and intestinal morphology of broilers using 360 one-day old chicks, in a completely randomized design with three treatments, three replicates and 40 chickens in each replicate (20 male and 20 female). Treatments were arranged in: control group, 3Kg of chicory for treatment 2 and 1Kg of peppermint풨 of thyme풨 of chicory for treatment 3. The entire experimental period was divided into three phases; 1-10 days, 11-24 days and 25-42 days. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. On 42th day, to assess the effects of treatments on villus length, crypt depth and the ratio of the villus height to the crypt depth in Jejunum and ileum, 6 birds from each treatment were slaughtered. Results indicated that the addition of these herbal plants, significantly increased body weight gain, feed consumption and improved feed conversion ratio (p0.05). In conclusion, the results from the current study suggest that feeding peppermint, thyme and especially chicory increases the growth performance and had no effect on intestinal morphology of broiler chickens.