The effect of using rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) in broiler nutrition on production parameters, slaughter characteristics, and gut microbiological population

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the supplementation of different concentrations of rosemary in broiler diets from day 1 to 42 on growth performance, carcass quality, and cecal microbiological composition of chickens. The research was carried out with 1200 Ross 308 chickens, divided into 4 groups with 6 repetitions per group. The treatment groups were: control group (C) without rosemary, 0.2% rosemary group (0.2R), 0.4% rosemary group (0.4R), and 0.6% rosemary group (0.6R). Production parameters and the European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) were determined. At the end of the trial 12 chicks per group were selected and euthanised in order to determine the slaughtering properties and for the microbiological analysis of the cecum contents. The obtained results showed that the use of rosemary in diets leads to increase in average daily gain, feed conversion, and EPEF value. The share of abdominal fat in carcasses was lower (P < 0.05) in the 0.4R and 0.6R groups. Lactobacilli count was found higher in the 0.4R and 0.6R groups (P < 0.001) compared to the C group. These results demonstrate that addition of 0.4% rosemary powder to broiler feed could have positive effects on the gain, feed conversion, fat deposition, and cecal microbiological composition. Further increase in the amount of added rosemary had no additive effect in this research.

Effects of Dietary Rosemary Essential Oil on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Some Hematological Values of Chukar Partridge

“…On the contrary, Kırıkçı et al (2017) stated female partridges had better carcass yield (%76.07) than male ones (%76.07) however, not significantly different, only numerically. Other studies indicated dietary rosemary supplementation didn't differ carcass weight statistically (Ghazalah and Ali, 2008;Çetin et al, 2017;El-Gogary et al, 2018;Petričević et al, 2018) In the present experiment, carcass yield was found in a range from %74.70 to 79.09, %77.07 averagely in female chukar partridges and %74.57 to %78.44, %77.02 averagely in male animals. Kokoszyński et al (2013) and Wnux et al (2014) also found no difference between male and female partridges in terms of carcass yields.…”

In ovo protective effects of chicoric and rosmarinic acids against Thiacloprid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and growth retardation on newly hatched chicks

“…Furthermore, RA restored normal growth and development in zebrafish embryos exposed to food colors (sunset yellow and crimson red) through its effect on aurora kinase A ( Swarnalatha et al, 2017 ). In addition, rosemary-supplemented feed positively impacted body weight gain, FCR, deposition of fat, and cecal microbiological composition in the broilers ( Petricevic et al, 2018 ; Farouk et al, 2022 ; Mawed et al, 2022 ). The growth-promoting effects of both phytochemicals may be attributed to the enhancement of the antioxidant activity and proliferation of the gut flora.…”

A blend of thyme and rosemary powders with poultry by-product meal can be used as a natural antioxidant in broilers

“…The growth-promoting effects of thyme have been demonstrated in broiler chickens by Hassan and Awad (2017) who reported that supplemented thyme powders (5%), in broilers diets improved growth performance and immune status (p <0.05). Petricevic et al (2018) reported that supplemented rosemary leaves powder at the level of 0.4% in broilers diets improved growth performance, fat deposition and cecal microbiological composition (p <0.05).…”