Effect of Thymus daenensis on immunity and performance in broiler

Abstract

Thymus daenensis Celak is one of the species of Thymus that is endemic to Iran. T. daenensis is distributed
in most parts of Iran, particularly over the Zagros and some parts of the Alborz mountain ranges. The leaves
and flowering parts of Thyme plants were traditionally used for various medical purposes. For the study of
thyme (Thymus daenensis) effect on performance and immunity in chickens, 180 one-day-old broiler chicks
divided into 4 groups by 3 replicates, randomly. All chickens reared under the same condition and received
0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 percent of thyme on diet from 5 to 42 days old, continuously. Control chickens feed basic
diet did not receive any supplement on feed. Growth indices including body weight, weight gain, and feed
conversion ratio (FCR) were determined and recorded at the end of each week. In 42 days old, chickens
slaughtered and blood was sampled without anticoagulant for determine of antibody titer against Newcastle
disease (ND) vaccine. The results showed that continuous consumption of 0.5 and 1 percent of thyme can
increase weight gain, reduce feed consumption and FCR. In addition, the supplement of 0.5 and 1 percent
of thyme can increase antibody titer in chickens but the differences were not significant between treatment
and control groups. Therefore, it concluded that a supplement of 0.5 and 1 percent of thyme in chicken
nutrition can improve the growth performance and no negative effect on the immunocompetence of broiler
chickens.