Evaluation of Escherichia coli population in intestine and meat of broilers by cinnamon and thyme supplement in chicken diet

For evaluation and comparing effect of thyme and cinnamon on carcass contamination, 135 broiler chicks divided to 3 groups by 3 replicates. All chickens reared under same condition and received 0.5 percent thyme and 0.5 percent cinnamon on basic diet, continuously. Control chickens received no supplement in basic diet. In 42 days old, chickens were slaughtered and breast muscle was sampled for Escherichia coli (E.coli) detection. Cecal content were sampled for E.Coli colony counting, by conventional bacteriologic methods. Results showed that administration of 0.5 percent thyme can reduce carcass contamination and E.coli population in cecal content, significantly. There was no significant difference between control chickens and chickens received cinnamon for percentage of E.coli detection on carcass and cecal Ecoli population. all studied indices. According to results of this study, continuous consumption of 0.5 percent of thyme can improve hygienic quality in broiler chickens while this effect not expected for cinnamon.