Botanicals are widely used in poultry nutrition for their multiple properties (antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory) that can help to support growth and health of birds. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of AviPower®2, a botanicals-based feed additive, microencapsulated in a lipid matrix, on growth performance and gut health of broilers in commercial conditions under a conventional anticoccidial program.
The trial was conducted in a commercial farm with day-old chicks (Ross 308) divided in two houses (19,000 birds/house) assigned to one of two groups: CON group, fed a basal diet treated with Maxiban® (d0-21) and Monteban® (d22-49) or BOT group, fed the same basal diet treated with Maxiban® (d0-21) and Monteban® (d22-49) + the microencapsulated blend of botanicals (AviPower®2) at 200 g/MT (d0-49). Necropsies were performed at day 21, 28 and 35 (5 birds/group/time-point) for gut health and footpad lesions scoring. Data were analyzed with T test and differences considered significant at P<0.05. Growth performance were recorded until birds collection for slaughtering around day 49.
Regarding growth performance, mortality and final body weight were the same between groups (3% and 3.35 kg) but BOT reached it 2.4 days earlier than CON (46.4 days vs 48.8 days total cycle). Also FCR was improved in BOT compared to CON (1.66 vs 1.76). Consequently, the European Production Efficiency Factor [EPEF = (Final body weight*liveability*100)/(days*FCR)] was improved in BOT compared to CON (415 vs 383). Gut health lesions scores were similar between the two groups throughout the trial, with generally good intestinal scores and low values for Eimeria lesions. Footpad lesion scores were similar between the two groups at day 21 but then the lesions were significantly lower in BOT compared to CON at day 28 and 35 (at both time-points score 1 vs 1.6, P=0.04).
In this trial, AviPower®2 was used in combination with Maxiban®/Monteban® shuttle program, allowing a strong improvement of feed efficiency, good intestinal health scores and reduced risk of foot pad lesions. To conclude, this alternative anticoccidial product is compatible with a conventional anticoccidial programs and has the potential to further enhance growth performance, while supporting gut health.
