A b s t r a c tTo date, numerous studies are focused on searching for alternatives to antibiotics with similar antimicrobial and growth-stimulating effects that do not cause bacterial resistance and potential side effects for animals. Promising phytogenic compounds have been also recognized as potential alternatives to antibiotics in feeds. One of the problems of phytogenic compound use is the unstable chemical composition of plant extracts, depending on the conditions of growth, distribution area and other factors, so the question arises of extracting some substances with the known properties or designing their compositions. In this paper, it has been shown for the first time that a dietary composition of biologically active substances of Quercus cortex helps to maintain productivity and improves the immunomodulating state of Smena 8 poultry cross broilers. In our experiment, a composition of substances (CS) extracted from Quercus cortex and chemically synthesized («Acros Organics B.V.B.A.», Belgium) was used, including 2-n-propylresorcinol (98 %, AVH27024); 4-hydroxy-3methoxybenzaldehyde (99 %, AC14082-1000); 7-hydroxycoumarin (99 %, AC12111-0250); 3,4,5trimethoxyphenol (98.5 %, AC18914-0050); scopoletin (95 %, AC30290-0010); coniferyl alcohol (98 %, AL22373-5) with a confirmed anti-QS effect. A total of 120 broiler chickens aged 7 days were divided into 4 groups (n = 30) by analogue method. Control group was fed with the basic diet (BD). BD + CS 1 (1 ml/kg of live weight), BD + CS 2 (2 ml/kg of lw), and BD + CS 3 (3 ml/kg lw) were used for group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively. In the experimental groups, as compared to the control, the number of blood leukocytes increased by 19.2-28.5 % (P  0.05), blood lymphocytes were higher by 24.4, 36.2 % (P  0.05) and 44.0 % (P  0.05), blood monocytes were higher by 23.5, 23.5 and 29.4 % (Р  0.05), and blood granulocyte counts were higher by 12.3 % (Р  0.05), 5.7 and 9.5 %. The blood ALT activity in the group 2 and group 3 exceeded the control value by 13.2 % (P  0.05). The level of GGT tended to decrease in the group 2 and group 3, along with a significant decrease in LDH by 17.6-22.5 % (P  0.05). The intake of the CS as a feed additive was accompanied by an increase in blood SOD levels in the test groups, the highest concentration being observed in the group 1 (95.3 %). The catalase indices had similar patterns. Dietary composition of biologically active substances promoted a 16.4 % increase (P  0.05) in blood -lysine levels in the group 1. Within 4 weeks, the dietary CSs led to an increase in the live weight of the poultry of the group 2 and groups 3 by 12.6-15.0 % (P  0.05) when compared to the group 1. In the group 1, the birds grew more rapidly with a 100 % survival rate of the herd, in contrast to the remaining groups with the survival index of 71 to 85 %. These contributed to an insignificant increase in the bird live weight at the end of the experiment (day 42) by 1.9 % (P  0.05) compared to the control group. Thus, feeding broiler chickens with...

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Relevance, materials and methods. The experimental scheme included the control group — the main diet (MD); group I (positive control) — MD + chlortetracycline (20%) 0.63 g per 1 kg of body weight for 20 days; group II — MD + gamma-octalactone at a dosage of 0.1 ml/kg of b.w./day; III group — MD + gammaoctalactone + chlortetracycline (20%).Results. In the course of research, the advantage of the live weight of experimental broilers over the control was established. The broilers that received gamma-octolactone + chlortetracycline with the main dietwere distinguished by the greatest live weight (16.5% more than in the control) . A similar situation was observed in terms of live weight gains. Broilers of the experimental groups ate more feed (by 3.23–8.47%), against the background of low feed consumption per 1 kg of live weight (by 6.38–10.6%) compared to the control. Broilers from group III had a higher content of erythrocytes (by 12.6–30.7%) and the weight of the spleen. The microbial profile of group III broilers (a combination of gamma-octalactone and chlortetracycline) was represented by microorganisms belonging to 4 phylum. The dominant phylum was Firmicutes (81.3%). Comparison with the control showed that the combination of substances reduced the number of bacteria of this phylum by 4.46%, against the background of an increase in the number of representatives of the Bacteroidetes phylum by 9.32% relative to the control. There was an increase in representatives of the genera Alistipes, Lactobacillus and unclassified genera of the family Clostridiales, while the number of representatives of unclassified genera of the family Ruminococcaceae decreased.

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The following grass: Brоmus inеrmis, Elytrígia bluish, Agropyron pectiniforme that are widely used in diets of ruminants were gathered and assessed for contents of Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), ash, crude fat, Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), lignin, hemicellulose, Crude Fiber (CF), nitrogen-free substances. Samples of grain crops were assessed. The samples were taken within earing phase, flowering period, seeding in intact plant and in separate vegetative parts (n = 10). Dry matter regularly increases with developing vegetation phases. This index of smooth brome and wheatgrass has better balance in vegetative parts in earing and flowering phases during the assessment of their feed value. Mass weight of crude protein was in leaves and reproductive organs during all periods of plants development. At earing phase the highest content of it was registered. Higher content of crude fiber was registered in culm and leaves of smooth brome during earing phase. It was higher by 3.4-8.5%. The tendency for more intensive accumulation of crude fiber is observed rather well within seeding phase. Fiber content in culm of smooth brome was by 2.1-2.4% higher. Culm and leaves of wheatgrass in its turn have the highest content of nitrogen-free substances. With growth and development of crop neutral detergent fiber increases from 49.4% (in earing phase) up to 64.1% (in seeding phase) acid detergent fiber increased by 8.2-11.4% and hemicellulose and cellulose -by 0.7-4.4%. Concentration of metabolizable energy in 1 kg dry matter decreases by 17.3-19.7% in the process of physiological maturation of grain crops for feeding. Maximum content of structural carbohydrates was observed in culm part of grain crops, minimum content-in leaves and generative parts of plants had intermediate position. Thus, type of feed crop, phase of its development determine mainly chemical composition and content of carbohydrate fractions not only in whole grain crops but also in vegetative parts. It can further influence on preparation technology and fodder quality.