hosna hajati

Nutrition by self is allocated remarkable section of aquatic rearing cost, so desired management of using feed ingredient will help considerably to the breeders of aquatic farms. Spirulina (green-blue algae) is a microscopic single cell which grows in fresh water and has a simple structure but complex composition. This alga is source of various nutrients. In addition, it is an important source of photosynthetic pigments named phycocyanin that has so strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation characteristics. Ethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis contain alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, steroids and saponins. Also, this alga is noteworthy due to high content of un-saturated fatty acids because high amount of it is composed of gamma-linolenic acid. This alga has lower levels of serum glycerides and low-density lipo-proteins which is considered as a growth promotor, probiotic and immune system booster in fish. Spirulina is a micro-alga with high economical value and is one the algae which is suitable for cultivation in large scale due to high performance of photosynthesis, rapid growth rate and adaptability to environment. Thus, it seems that using Spirulina platensis ii aquatic diet is a valuable strategy to manage the nutrition cost and improvement of the performance of aquatic farms.

Due to genetic selection, today's strains exhibit higher metabolic activity, resulting in increased heat production and reduced heat resistance. This can negatively impact their immune system and production performance (Havenstein et al. 1994).Thaxton et al. (1968) showed that high ambient temperature can have a negative effect on the immune responses of broiler chickens. In recent years, in order to improve the health of chicken meat consumers, the production of broiler chickens without the use of antibiotics has been proposed, and the ban on the use of antibiotics has been issued by the European Union in 1999 (Youssef et al., 2016). For this reason, today there is a tendency to use alternative sources. Algae and microalgae are of the natural substances whose beneficial effects have received much attention in recent years. Spirulina platensis (SP) is a filamentous blue-green microalgae (cyanobacteria) generally regarded as prebiotic and source of high quality protein, minerals, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, pigments and phenolic acids. Many studies have shown that Spirulina has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial activity in various experimental animals (Hajati and Zaghari 2019).

A total of 360 one-day old male broiler chickens (Ross 308 strain) were allocated to 6 treatments, 6 replicates and 10 birds each replicate in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments included different levels of Spirulina platensis microalgae powder: 0 (Control), 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 percent Spirulina platensis powder, and one treatment included Vitamin E at the level of 150 g/ton feed. The basal diet was based on corn0soybean meal and all the diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and used for 42 days in diets. During the experiment, the feed consumption and weight gain of the chickens were measured weekly and the feed conversion ratio was calculated for each week and period.On 42 d of experiment, 2 birds from each replicate were randomly selected, humoral immune response was evaluated and then killed after weighing, carcass components and internal organs were weighed and their weight was calculated as a percentage of live weight. In order to evaluate the humoral immune system, the antibody titer produced against SRBC was measured using the hemagglutination method. In the end of experiment, the microbial population of the cecum was counted. All the data were analyzed in the form of a completely random design by SAS software and with the GLM procedure, and the comparison of means was done with Tukey's test.

Results showed that the use of different levels of SP had no significant effect on the amount of feed intake during the whole period (P<0.05), but in finisher period, using %1 SP could improve body weight gain and feed efficiency of the broilers compared to control group (P<0.05). Breast yield of the chickens was affected by the level of dietary Spirulina, and it improved at the levels of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 percent SP usage compared to control and vitamin E groups (P<0.01). The relative weight of abdominal fat decreased in the birds fed with SP at the levels of 0.75 and 1.0 percent compared to control group (P<0.01). There was no difference among total count, ceca Lactobacillus and E. Coli in the chickens of different experimental groups (P>0.05). The response of humoral immune system was higher in all four levels of SP and also vitamin E compared to control treatment. Chickens which consumed Spirulina at the level of 1 percent had the highest level of antibody titer. Mustafa et al. (2021) by achieving a growth performance similar to the present research, stated that the effect of SP on the intestinal microbial population, such as the increase of Lactobacillus and the decrease of Escherichia coli, has improved the performance of the birds under heat stress conditions. According to the reports on the effects of heat stress on digestive enzymes (Sahin et al., 2002) and the efforts of previous researchers to overcome the adverse effects of heat stress on digestive enzymes by using phytogenic compounds (Khosravinia et al., 2016), the researchers of the present study believe that the improvement of the mucous tissue and intestinal immune system and perhaps the increase in the secretion of digestive enzymes are the most important factors for improving the performance of birds in heat stress conditions.

Under heat stress condition, using 1 percent Spirulina platensis microalgae in broiler chickens’ diet could improve both humoral immune system and growth performance.

In order to evaluate the effect of feeding Supergel on the biological traits of turkey chicks, 200 Bronze turkey chicks (mixed sex) were used. This study was done by completely randomized design with five treatments, five replicates, and eight chicks per replicate for five weeks. The experimental treatments were as follows: early access to feed and water, deprived of feed and water for 48 hours, feeding Supergel formula-1 for 48 hours, feeding Supergel formula-2 for 48 hours, and feeding Supergel formula-3 for 48. The results showed that the chicks fasted for 48 hours had lower body weight gain than other groups (P < 0.05). Chicks fed formula 1 of the functional Supergel had a better feed conversion ratio than control and fasted groups (P < 0.05). Mortality of the fasted group was higher than other groups (P < 0.05). The feed cost per 1 kg gain was lower in turkey chicks fed with Supergel formula-1 than in control and fasted groups (P < 0.001). The production efficiency index was lower in chicks deprived of feed and water (P < 0.001). The gene expression of IGF-1 in the jejunum was the lowest in the fasted group on d 35 (P < 0.05). Early feeding with Supergel decreased the HSP70 gene expression. In general, the results of the present study showed that feeding functional Supergel immediately after the hatch of turkey chicks positively affected the performance, feed cost, jejunum morphology, and decreased HSP70 gene expression in turkey chicks.

This study was done to evaluate the microencapsulated Spirulina powder on nutrient digestibility, immune response, and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 160 one-day old Ross 308 broiler chicks (mixed-sex) were assigned to a completely randomized design with four treatments, 4 replicates, and 10 chicks in each replicate. Experimental treatments included basal diet (without additive), basal diet +0.3, 0.6 or 0.9% microencapsulated Spirulina powder. Results showed that using all the levels of dietary microencapsulated Spirulina powder increased primary antibody titer against sheep red blood cell compared to control group. Feeding microencapsulated Spirulina powder at the levels of 0.3 or 0.6% increased IgM, IgG, and total antibody titer on d 35. Treatments contained microencapsulated Spirulina powder caused lower VLDL compared to control group (P<0.05). Adding 0.6 or 0.9% microencapsulated Spirulina powder to diet decreased LDL compared to control group. The birds fed with treatment contained 0.6% microencapsulated Spirulina powder had higher level of red blood cell compared to control group. The results of the present study showed that feeding microencapsulated Spirulina powder promoted humoral immune system, decreased the levels of VLDL, LDL, and increased the percentage of red blood cell in broiler chickens.

In order to investigate the effect of inorganic selenium replacement with organic selenium from Spirulina algae on performance and breast meat quality of broilers, a total of 160 one-day-old chicks were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments, eight replicates and five birds per each replicate. The sources of selenium used included sodium selenite and organic selenium from Spirulina algae which were replaced at two levels of 50 and 100 percent. The organic selenium was produced by the culture of Spirulina algae and its enrichment with selenium. The selenium content of different treatments was measured by ICP-Mass method. In this experiment, the feed intake and body weight gain parameters were measured weekly and feed conversion ratio was calculated. At 42 day of age, one bird was slaughtered from each replicate and the weight of carcass ready to cook was measured. The breast meat was sampled for measurement of pH and selenium storage. The results showed that it was not observed any significant difference in performance traits and ready to cook carcass percentage among different treatments. There was no significant difference in breast muscle pH at 0 and 24 hours after slaughtering. The amount of selenium deposited in breast muscle of birds fed organic selenium had significant increase when compared with other treatments (P<0.05). Generally, the results of this study showed that 100% replacement of sodium selenite with organic selenium from Spirulina algae led to increase in breast muscle selenium deposition without reduction in bird performance.

This study was done to evaluate the effect of using different levels of Portulaca Oleracea seed on growth performance, immune system and some blood parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 160 one day old broiler chicks (Ross 308 commercial strain) was used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 4 replicates and 10 chicks in each replicate. Experimental diets include Portulaca Oleracea seed at the levels of 0, 2, 5/2, 5 and 5/7 percent. To evaluate the humoral immune system, 1 ml of SRBC (%10) was injected to 2 chicks in each replicate and blood samples collected from wing vein on 35, 42 d. Birds vaccinated against bronchitis, Newcastle and Gambaro diseases. The blood samples of 42 d were used for measuring blood parameters. Body organs were studied as percentage of body weight on 42 d. The results showed that Portulaca Oleracea seed increased body weight and feed intake of broiler chickens at growth, finisher and whole period of rearing (P<0.05). There was no difference among birds IgY titer. Feed conversion ratio improved with Portulaca Oleracea seed at the level of 2/5 percent in all experimental periods (P<0.05). The weight of bursa of fabricius and other body organs was not different in all groups at 42 d. Using different levels of Portulaca Oleracea seed in experimental diets had not significant effect on antibody titer against SRBC, blood hematocrit, triglyceride, ALP, AST, ALT enzymes and blood calcium, but it increased blood cholesterol concentration (P<0.05).

Spirulina platensis (SP) is a filamentous blue-green microalgae (cyanobacteria) generally regarded as prebiotic and source of high quality protein, minerals, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, pigments and phenolic acids. Many studies have shown that Spirulina has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial activity in various experimental animals. Several studies have demonstrated the growth-promoting effects of spirulina platensis on broiler chickens. Jamil et al., (2015) showed that feeding 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 percent spirulina increased weight gain and linearly decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chickens. Similar results were reported by Shanmugapriya et al., (2015). They reported that feeding 1% of spirulina platensis to broiler chicks caused to improve growth performance. As well as growth performances, treatment with S. platensis was reported to increase the carcass percentage and ready-to-cook yields of broiler chicks in the studies of Raju et al. (2004), Kaoud (2012) and Holman & Malau-Aduli (2013). The cecum plays an important role in preventing colonization of pathogens and detoxifying harmful substances (Jorgensen et al., 1996), therefore may play an important role in improving nutrients absorption and better performance. A previous study in broiler chickens also concluded that intestinal microbial-including cecum is highly associated with the production performance of broiler chickens (Jeong and Kim, 2014). Park et al., (2018) indicated that broiler chickens fed a Spirulina supplemented diet led to higher cecal Lactobacillus concentration, but had no effect on the number of coliform bacteria. Some other studies suggest that microalgae have potential antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities. de Mule et al., (1996) observed that methanolic and aqueous extracts of Spirulina inhibited the growth of Candida albicans whereas Lactococcus lactis was promoted by the extract, with growth increasing from 7.5 to 14.7%.

Three hundred one-day- old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates and 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. Dried Spirulina Platensis (SP) powder provided from Pars Jolbak Co. in Shiraz, Iran and after chemical analysis was used in diets. All experimental diets were corn soybean based and formulated to reach ROSS 308 broiler chicken requirements. Dietary treatments were 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5,0.75 and 1 % Spirulina Platensis (SP). All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and were fed to birds during 6 weeks. The average daily feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG) were measured for each group and feed conversion ratio was calculated. Daily mortality was weighed, recorded and used to correct the feed conversion ratio. Daily FI was determined from the difference between supplied and residual feed in each pen and was adjusted for mortality. At the end of the experiment, two birds per each replicate (similar to cage average weight) were selected. The birds were killed by cervical dislocation. Breast, thigh, pancreas, abdominal fat and liver were removed, weighed and expressed as a percentage of live weight at 42 d of age. At the end of experiment, cecal samples collected from each bird. One gram of cecal sample from viable counts of bacteria in the cecal samples were conducted by plating serial 10-fold dilutions onto Lactobacilli MRS agar plates and MacConkey agar plates to isolate Lactobacillus spp. and coliform bacteria, respectively. The lactobacilli agar plates were then incubated for 24-72 h at 37◦C under anaerobic conditions. After the incubation periods, colonies of the respective bacteria were counted and expressed as the logarithm of colony-forming units per gram (log10 CFU/g). All data analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure described by the SAS Institute (2009). Tukey test was used to determine the significant differences between the treatment means.

The results showed that feed intake of birds was not influenced by SP supplementation during the whole period, but weight gain of birds fed diets containing 1 % SP, was increased (P<0.05) and feed conversion ratio was decreased significantly (P<0.05) as compared as control birds. Similar to our results, Park et al., (2018) showed that up to 1% SP in broiler diets, did not affect the feed consumption of broiler chickens. They showed that increasing dietary SP from 0 to 1 %, caused to increase in weight gain during total period. Shanmugapriya et al., (2015) reported that feeding 1% of spirulina platensis to broiler chicks caused to improve growth performance.The mechanism of action of Spirulina has not been clearly established, but previous studies have reported that dietary supplementation of Spirulina has positive effects on growth performance in poultry. Carcass yield and breast relative weight in chickens fed more than 0.5 % SP were significantly increased (P<0.05), but abdominal fat, liver and thigh relative weight were not affected. Similar to our results, increase in carcass percentage and ready-to-cook yields of broiler chicks were reported in the studies of Raju et al. (2004), Kaoud (2012) and Holman & Malau-Aduli (2013). In present study, the chickens fed more than 0.5% SP had lower cecal E.Coli concentration and nonsignificant increase in Lactobacillus concentration. Similarly, Park et al., (2018) indicated that broiler chickens fed a Spirulina supplemented diet led to higher cecal Lactobacillus concentration. Regard to previous study which concluded that intestinal microbial-including cecum is highly associated with the production performance of broiler chickens (Jeong and Kim, 2014), therefore in our study, the better performance of chickens fed higher than 0.5% SP may be associated with decrease in cecal E.Coli Concentration.Conclusion It is concluded that dietary supplementation of broiler diets with 1% Spirulina platensis, could improve the growth performance, carcass yield and cecal microbial population of broiler chickens at 42 day of age.Keywords: Prebiotic, Feed Conversion ratio, Carcass yield, Escherichia coli, Algae

Animal husbandry is an integral part of agriculture and has a great impact on the national economy. Livestock production is affected by many external and internal factors, and nutrition is an important part of it. Rising prices for agricultural products and feed costs for farm animals have increased the problems of this part of agriculture, and recently studies have focused on new plant-based alternative foods to solve this problem. Medicinal plants are a plausible alternative as they improve a number of vital processes in the animal body. For animal nutritionists, an eco-friendly alternative to enhance production, prevent and treat disease conditions of animal is a great challenge. Keeping livestock healthy is important to achive healthy animal products. The use of natural product like herbs, and medicinal plants are preferred over chemical compounds for improvement of overall animal health and to satisfy consumer concerns as well. Phytogenic additives and their products have a major impact on feed intake, growth, meat, milk and egg production. They also have known to increase the quality and stability of animal products.The advantage of phytogenic complements with active materials in animal nutrition could include the stimulation of appetite and feed intake, improvement of endogenous digestive enzyme secretion, activation of immune response and antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and antihelminthic actions. The purpose of this article is to investigate the effectiveness, mode of action and commercial application of thymus as a plant feed additive in animal feed.

This study was done to evaluate the microencapsulated Spirulina platensis powder on intestinal microflora, blood anti-oxidant status, and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 160 one-day old Ross 308 broiler chicks (mixed-sex) were assigned to a completely randomized design with four treatments, 4 replicates, and 10 chicks in each replicate. Experimental treatments included basal diet (without additive), basal diet + 0.3, 0.6 or 0.9 % microencapsulated Spirulina powder. Feeding diet contained 0.9 % encapsulated Spirulina powder decreased Coliforms population in the ileum of broiler chickens (P<0.05). Feeding diets contained 0.6 or 0.9 encapsulated Spirulina powder increased ileal Lactobacillus population and the activity of super-oxide dismutase in blood of broiler chickens (P<0.05). Using encapsulated Spirulina powder at the level of 0.9% decreased malondialdehyde of the thigh meat at 30 days after slaughter (P<0.05). In general, results of the present study showed that feeding Spirulina micro-algae to broiler chickens at the level of 0.9 % led to improve the birds̓ anti-oxidant status, decrease the intestinal harmful microbes and oxidation of thigh meat of broiler chickens at 30 days after slaughter.

In this study, the effect of early feeding of probiotic and honey on performance, immune system and intestinal microflora population of broiler chickens were evaluated. The experiment was done in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 3 replicates, and 12 birds in each replicate. Experimental treatments were included: 1- Control treatment (48 hours hunger after hatch), 2- drinking water contained 10 grams probiotic preparation/ Litr for 48h after hatch, 3- drinking water contained 5 percent honey for 48 hours after hatch, 4- drinking water contained 10 grams probiotic/ Litr and 5 percent honey for 48 hours after hatch. The results showed that feeding of the experimental treatments had no effect on feed intake of broiler chickens (P>0.05). The broilers fed with probiotic and honey had 6.88 percentage higher body weight gain than control group (P<0.05). Early feeding with honey decreased feed conversion ratio of broiler chicken up to 21 days of age (P<0.05). The birds which consumed probiotic, honey or a mix of probiotic and honey in drinking water had higher antibody titer against sheep red blood cell, and the population of Lactobacilli in their ileal digesta was higher (P<0.05). General conclusion, in regards to the positive effects of early feeding of broiler chickens with probiotic and honey, their usage is recommended during early hours after hatch of chicks to increase body weight, promote immune system, and improve gut health of the birds.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of In ovo feeding of grape seed extract (GSE) and vitamin C on hatchability, performance, microbial count of ileal digesta, and weight of lymphatic organs of broiler chickens during starter and grower period. The first study was carried out in a randomized block design with 7 treatments, 5 blocks, and 98 eggs per block. Experimental treatments included: Control (no puncture), Control (punctured), Sham control (0.5 ml saline), 3 mg vitamin C, 3, 4.5 or 6 mg GSE. In ovo feeding of 4.5 mg GSE caused higher hatchability compared to control groups. In the second experiment the hatched chicks of the first trail were reared in a completely randomized design with 5 replicates and 8 chicks per each up to 22 d. The results showed that in ovo injection of 4.5, 6 mg GSE or 3 mg vitamin C per egg increased GPx concentration in chicks hemolysate. In ovo feeding of 4.5 mg GSE or 3 mg vitamin C per egg increased the chicks body weight gain compared to control groups during starter period. In ovo injection of different levels of GSE or vitamin C decreased E. Coli count in ileum contents at 10 d

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary levels of crude protein, methionine and betaine on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 640 one-day-old broiler chicks from Ross 308 strain were used. Each pen (1.5 ×1.5m) was assumed as experimental unit and was included 20 male and female chicks. The experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design as a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement. The chicks were reared on the basis of regular brooding procedures until 7 days of age and then were fed with diets containing 2 levels of crude protein (high and medium), 2 levels of methionine (high and medium) and 2 levels of betaine (0 and 0.08%) from 7 to 42 days of age. All experimental diets were prepared isocaloric. Average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio was measured weekly. At day 42 of age, one male bird from each pen was selected and slaughtered for carcass analysis. Results of this experiment showed that none of treatments had a significant effect on feed intake in 7 to 42 days of age (P> 0.05). Betaine fed groups showed more daily feed consumption in compare to other groups but this effect was only significant during 14-21 days of age (P

Introduction Using vegetable oils and animal fats in poultry diets have beneficial effects for poultry production. They often have higher biological value than expected, increasing dietary metabolizable energy, which usually results in higher growth rates and better feed efficiency. Sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) play a key role in transcriptional regulation of cholesterol metabolism in response to cholesterol levels in the cell. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of soy-lecithin, soy-oil and tallow on performance and expression of SREBP-1 gene in the liver of broiler chickens.
Materials and methods A total of 768 male broiler chickens (Ross 308 strain) were used in a completely randomized design as a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement with 4 replicates and 16 chicks per each. Broiler chickens were fed with three types of fat (soy-lecithin, soy-oil and or tallow) and four levels of fat (0, 1, 2, and 3) from day 1 to day 42. Experimental diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. At 42 d, liver samples of birds washed with normal saline, put into the liquid nitrogen tank and transferred to -80°C freezer. Relative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to assess HSP70 gene expression in the heart and liver of broiler chickens. Total RNAs were extracted from the homogenised tissues using high pure RNA isolation kit (Roche, Basel, Switzerland). RNA concentration was assayed by spectrophotometer nano-drop (MD-1000) in wavelength of 260/280 nm. Synthesis of cDNA was done by gene PAK RT universal kit (Fermentas, Hanover, MD, USA), with reverse specific primer and hexanucleotide random primer. Genotype and sequence of the primers of B-actin and SREBP-1 was collected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (Bethesda, MD, USA). Then, specific primers were designed by primer-5 software and examined by BLAST for checking the specificity of primers. Synthesis of the primers was done by Sigma Company. Qualitative PCR showed that primers designed well and there was no non-specific band or primer dimer (Figures 1 and 2). Optimization of annealing temperature was examined with melting curve by applied biosystems-7300 RT-PCR system. The highest ∆Rn and the lowest Ct were considered to determine the optimum annealing temperature, which was 62°C for both genes. The optimum level of primers was 0.15 µL. Real time PCR was executed in triplicate. Reaction conditions were 45 cycles of a three phase PCR (denaturation at 95°C for 15 s; annealing at 62°C for 30 s; extension at 72°C for 30 s) after an initial denaturation step (95°C for 10 min). In real-time assay, a melt curve analysis, performed at the end of the PCR cycles, will confirm specificity of primer annealing. The thermal profile for melting curve is 95°C for 15 s, 60°C for 1 min; 95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 15 s. The efficiency calibrated model is a more generalized ∆∆Ct model. In this model, Ct is the sign of the first cycle that amplification curve begins to rise. The model considers both Ct of target gene and also Ct of reference gene or housekeeping gene. ∆Ct for each target gene is then calculated by subtracting the Ct number of target gene from that of housekeeping gene for each sample. ∆∆Ct for each gene was calculated by subtracting the ∆Ct of target sample from that of control sample.
Results and discussion Soy-lecithin improved birds’ average daily feed intake and average daily body weight gain during the whole experimental period (PConclusion Since dietary soy-lecithin had a similar growth performance compared to soy oil, it can be included as an energy source in broiler chickens diets. Further studies should be done to clear the physiological mechanisms of soy-lecithin on birds’ performance.

Application of most antibiotic growth promoters as feed additives has been banned in a lot of countries due to cross-resistance against pathogens and residues in tissues. Therefore, scientists are searching for alternatives to antibiotics nowadays. Medicinal plant extracts are one of the alternatives that have anti microbial and growth promoting effect on poultry. In this paper, the benefits of using of medicinal plants such as Garlic (Allium sativum L.), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.), Wild Mint (Mentha longifolia L.), Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees), Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood, Clove [Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry], Yucca Schidigera, Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.), Common mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (J.E.Lange) Emil J. Imbach], Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed, Goldthread (Coptis chinensis Franch.), Mulberry leaf (Morus alba L.), and Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb. ex Murray) on poultry production are discussed.