Effects of different levels of Berberis Vulgaris in broiler chicken diets on performance, immune system and blood parameters

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of Berberis Vulgaris fruit on performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, immune and antioxidant systems of broiler chickens. 240 commercial broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to a five treatments (with four replicants and 12 birds in each replicate). The treatments were 5 levels (0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) of Berberis Vulgaris fruit. Average daily feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, titers of antibodies against Newcastle, antioxidant enzyme levels and blood parameters were the traits under consideration. Glucose and total cholesterol levels as well as weight of heart and abdominal fat were significantly decreased (P