The effect of dietary inclusion of Hibiscus sabdariffa powder on growth performance and immune responses of broiler chicks under ascites condition

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of sour tea powder on growth performance and immune responses of broiler chicks under conditions challenge with ascites. 400 broiler chicks were studied in arrangement of 4 experimental diets including: Treatment 1: Positive control group (without induction of ascites and without powder), treatment 2: Negative control group (induction of ascites without powder), Treatments 3 and 4) 1% and 2% sour tea powder groups with ascites induction, and inclusion of 1% and 2% tea powder. This study was conducted for 42 days and the induction of ascite was started from day 8. This study was conducted in form of a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications. Performance parameters (body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio), immune responses against SRBC, weight of immune organs (spleen, thymus and bursa) and heart indexes were investigated. The results showed that the induction of ascites decreased body weight and increased feed conversion ratio in finisher period. The induction of ascites also decreased relative weight of heart indexes, immune organs and antibody titer (p<0.05). Dietary inclusion of 2% plant powder increased growth performance in finisher and total periods. It also improved relative weight of immune organs and antibody titer against SRBC. In conclusion, adding 2% Sour tea powder into diet is suggested to improve immune responses and growth performance under ascites condition.