Effect of Thymus daenensis on immunity and performance in broiler

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.