This study was conducted to explore the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) in broiler nutrition as a natural growth promoter. Two commercial phytogenic products; Activo ® and Digestarom® P.E.P were added to a standard diet to determine their effect on growth performance and cost economics. A total of 180 one-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were allotted to three treatment groups of three replicates (20 chicks / replicate). The dietary treatments were as follows: group (1) control (basal diet), group (2) basal diet + 100g/ton Activo® and group (3) basal diet + 150g/ton Digestarom® . Results showed that chicks fed PFAs had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) body weight and body weight gain than control, however feed intake was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in supplemented groups than control and, in turn, caused an improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in feed conversion ratio. European Broiler index was increased in Activo® fed group and Digestarom® fed group compared to negative control. Interestingly, a lower feed cost was recorded in the supplemented groups combined with a higher growth rate and, therefore, a higher net return was observed. Moreover, economic efficiency showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference in PFAs supplemented groups compared to the control .In conclusion, supplementation of broiler diets with PFAs can improve body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and overall broiler performance .The best economic efficiency was recorded in broilers fed PFAs. |
