A microencapsulated blend of botanicals can enhance growth performance and improve gut health of broiler chickens

Botanicals are widely used in poultry nutrition for their various biological properties (antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory) that can help to support growth and health of animals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a botanicals-based feed additive, microencapsulated in a lipid matrix, on growth performance and gut health of broilers vaccinated
for coccidiosis. A total of 924 day-old male chicks (Ross 308) were vaccinated for coccidiosis (Livacox®), divided in floor pens (22 birds/pen) and assigned to 2 groups (21 pens/group): control group (CON), fed a basal diet; treated group (TRT), fed a basal diet supplemented with a microencapsulated blend of botanicals at 200 g/MT of feed. Oocysts per gram (OPG) of feces
were determined weekly per group while at day 28 some birds (8 birds/ group) were sacrificed to collect intestinal samples (duodenum and ileum) for gene expression analysis of gut health markers by qPCR (tight junctions components and nutrients transporters). Overall the study lasted 42 days with growth performance recorded throughout the study. Data were
analyzed with T test and differences considered significant at P<0.05. For both groups Eimeria shedding showed a first peak at day 7 and the highest peak at day 21, with OPG values numerically lower in TRT than in CON group at each time-point (P>0.05). TRT group showed improved growth performance compared to CON group: already in the first phase (0-14 days) the treatment significantly increased BW (+35 g) and reduced FCR (-0.06) compared to control (P<0.0001). BW was significantly higher in TRT than in CON group also at day 28 (+79 g), day 35 (+80 g) and overall  at day 42 (+70 g), (P<0.01 each).  Gene expression analysis showed a modulation of many markers for TRT compared to CON group: the treatment increased tight junctions markers
(ZO1, Claudin-1, JAM2) in both duodenum and ileum, while increased the nutrient transporter for peptides (Pept1) in duodenum and for glucose (GLUT2) in ileum (P<0.05 each).
To conclude, the microencapsulated blend of botanicals used in this study has the potential to enhance the growth performancof broilers vaccinated for coccidiosis, while improving the gut health.