The Effect of Herbal Extract Mixture (Digestarom) Supplementation to Diets on Duodenum and Ileum Histology in Broiler Chickens

Phytogenic feed additives are used as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and performance enhancer in the nutrition of broiler chicks. In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of the usage of phytogenic feed additives which are used as an alternative to antibiotics in broilers at different levels in the rations, on the morphology of the duodenum and ileum. For this purpose, 48 male ROSS-308 one-day-old broiler chicks were used in the study. Chicks with a body weight of 43±3 g were randomly divided into 24 replicate sets from three experimental groups, each of which consisted of 8 replicates (2 chicks per house). The other two experimental groups were fed with a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg (DIG100) and 150 mg/kg (DIG150) phytogenic product Digestarom®. In conclusion, it was determined that herbal extract mixture supplementation to broiler chick rations generally increased villus height and villus width, and decreased tunica muscularis thickness. Hence, herbal extract mixture might lead to better digestion and absorption by increasing the intestinal surface area, digestion and absorption levels, also increase body weight gain in broiler chicks by reducing the microbial load.