This experiment was aimed at determining contents of Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, and Fe in blood serum and breast muscles of broiler chickens COBB 500 subjected to different variants of pre-slaughter handling in the summer period: no transport (N–T); transport to a distance of 100 km (T–100) and 200 km (T–200). The complete pre-slaughter handling consisted of the following stages: catching the birds, weighing, loading to containers, transport and waiting for slaughter, unloading and weighing after the transport. In the N–T group, transport and weighing after the transport were excluded from the pre-handling management. Stress factors occurring in the pre-slaughter handling evoked a detrimental effect on the bodies of both males and females and appeared to affect concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, and Fe in blood serum and breast muscles of the broiler chickens. An upward tendency was observed in serum levels of those elements after transport to a distance of 100 km which was, however, followed by their decline. An opposite tendency was demonstrated in breast muscle. Taking into account the sex of the chickens, differences were observed in contents of macro- and microelements between males and females, both in their blood sera and breast muscles.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of peppermint and thyme essential oil mist on performance, blood parameters and lymphoid organ indices in broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on 360 broilers raised until 42 days of age. One-day-old chicks were divided into three groups (n = 120): control group (C-misted with pure water) and two experimental groups (PO-misted with peppermint essential oil, and TO-misted with thyme essential oil) and placed in three separate experimental rooms. Growth performance (BW-body weight, WG-weight gain, FCR-feed conversion ratio), blood parameters (RBC-red blood cells, HGB-haemoglobin concentration, HCT-haematocrit levels, leukogram, serum protein and protein fractions), and lymphoid organ indices were assessed during the production cycle. Our results demonstrate that the use of EO mist does not exert adverse effects on broiler health, and that PO mist can increase BW and WG in broiler chickens. Mean RBC parameters at slaughter were higher in broilers exposed to PO mist. An analysis of blood parameters and lymphoid organ indices revealed that EO could positively influence the immune systems of birds. Higher values of gammaglobulin concentration as well as the weights and growth indices of lymphoid organs were noted in experimental groups.

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A i m : The purpose of this paper is to disseminate health and medical properties of lactoferrin originating from the cow's milk and bovine ncolostrum.