The effect of anise and mint as essential oils supplementtion on performance and leukogram in broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of essential oils (Anise, mint) as feed additives on performance and leukogram of vaccinated and non- vaccinated broiler chicks. A total of one hundred and sixty, day-old chicks were distributed into 8 equal groups (A-H).Control groups (A and B), anise oil as 400mg /kg diet (C and D), mint oil as 300 mg /Kg diet (E and F), mixture of anise and mint oil with the same previous dose (G and H). At 12 day of age half of groups (B, D, F and H) were vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) with IB+ND vaccine as eye drop. The statistical findings of this experiment indicated that a significant increase in the body weight, body weight gain, and improvement in FCR in the groups treated with Anise oil + mint oil then in groups treated with anise oils and mint oils. Concerning leukogram results there was increase in TLC with characteristic heterophilia, lymphocytosis, and monocytosis in vaccinated and non- vaccinated broiler chicks at 3 and 6 weeks of age. The study concluded that combination of anise oil and mint oil has growth promoting effect in broilers.