The effects of turmeric, thyme and cinnamon on parameters related to ascites syndrome in arian broilers

The effects of three herbal plant powders (thyme، cinnamon and turmeric) on growth performance and ascites were studied in broilers. Eight hundred one-day-old Arian broiler chicks were randomly allocated into eight treatment groups with four replications and 25 chicks per cage. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Energy and high protein diets were used to increase the speed of growth and inducing ascites in broiler chickens. Experimental treatment groups were: control treatments، consisting of two diets with different nutrient densities (high density and low density) and two base diets were supplemented with herbal powders at a rate of 5 g/Kg of the diet in a factorial arrangement. Feed intake، BW gain and feed conversion ratio of the broilers were measured. Parameters related to ascites (thyroid hormones، hematocrit value، erythrocyte osmotic fragility and right ventricle-to-total ventricle ratio (RV/TV) were measured. Results showed that there were no influences on broilers’ growth performance. On the other hand، hematocrit value، T4، T3/T4 and RV/TV were significantly decreased by using herbal plants compared with the control، but no significant changes were observed on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) among the treatments. The results of this study suggested that herbal plants have beneficial effects in reducing ascites in broilers.