Lippia multiflora (Verbenacae, Mold.) Leaves Dietary Supplementation Effect on Broiler Chickens’ Growth, Hematological Parameters, and Serum Biochemistry

Abstract

The continued overuse of synthetic antibiotics has led to microbial resistance, responsible for numerous therapeutic failures in both animal and human health. This resistance has prompted the search for natural alternatives to the use of synthetic antibiotics in the poultry sector. The essay evaluated Lippia multiflora (Lm) leaves’ effects on chickens’ growth, health, and fatty acid profile. The rearing lasted 10 weeks, with 5 start-up weeks and 5 weeks of growth. At the start-up end, 6 experimental chicken groups were formed, including a control group without Lm leaves (0% Lm) and 5 additional groups, within which were 5% Lm, 7% Lm, 9% Lm, 11% Lm, and 13% Lm, receiving 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13% Lippia multiflora leaves, respectively. Throughout the test, the chickens and the feed leftovers were weighed for the growth performance determination. On day 70, 6 chickens were slaughtered per experimental group for the hematological and biochemical blood parameters analysis. Diet 5%Lm allowed the heaviest chicken weight of 1,824.51 g compared to the control diet for 1,773.01 g (p = 0.134). In addition, diets 5% Lm, 11% Lm, and 13% Lm leaves promoted the white blood cell count reduction from 121x10³/µL with the control to 110.7, 108.48, 106.60x10³/µL, respectively. Furthermore, diet 5% Lm led to the highest HDL cholesterol for 76.11±1.38 mg/dL, triglycerides for 132.85±6.83 mg/dL, and protein for 5.47±0.22 g/dL. Adding 5% Lippia multiflora dried leaves in growing and finishing broilers’ diets can improve chickens’ growth performance and their health status.