Investigating the effect of fennel root powder on productive performance, immune system and meat quality of broiler chickens

To investigate the effects of using fennel root powder in the diet on the productive performance, immune responses, and meat quality of Arian broiler day-old chicks, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with six treatments, four replicates and 20 (male and female) in each, for 42 days. The experimental groups include: 1- basic diet (control) 2- basic diet + 2 g/kg fennel root powder 3- basic diet + 4 g/kg fennel root powder 4- basic diet + 6 g/kg fennel root powder 5- basic diet + 250 mg/kg antibiotic and 6- basic diet + 200 mg/kg probiotic. The live weight , livability percentage , the production index and carcass characteristics were not affected by the experimental treatments during the whole period. In contrast, the average feed consumption in the whole period was affected by the treatments containing fennel and antibiotics (P<0.05). The antibodies against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and immunoglobulin G were higher in the treatments using fennel root powder compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). The use of fennel root powder at all levels, reduced MDA after seven days of keeping meat in the refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius (P<0.05). In conclution, regarding the positive effects of using fennel root powder on the immune responses and meat preservation of broilers, it is recommended to use it at the rate of 2 grams per kilogram of diets.