Dietary Spirulina Supplementation Enhanced Performance, Immune Response and Reduced Oxidative Stress in Broiler Chicken

Background: Spirulina have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing properties, which improved the performance of birds. It has also got metallo protective, radio protective, hypocholesterolemic and antiviral properties. Methods: A 35-day study was conducted, taking one hundred sixty Vencobb broiler birds divided into four groups. Each group consists of four replicates with 10 birds each. The dietary treatments were: T0: basal diet; T0.5: basal diet + 0.5% Spirulina powder; T1.0: basal diet + 1.0% Spirulina powder; and T1.5: basal diet + 1.5% Spirulina powder. Parameters under study included body weight gain, cumulative FCR, antioxidants, immunity status, and intestinal E. coli, Salmonella, and Lactobacillus counts. Result: Spirulina supplementation at 1.5% significantly (P less than 0.05) improved the body weight gain, FCR, antioxidant status, immunity, and intestinal Lactobacillus count in broiler chickens compared to other treatments. Supplementation of Spirulina at 0.5% and 1% showed better performance compared to un-supplemented control birds.