Evaluation of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai Extract in Litter Quality and Footpad Dermatitis in Broiler Litter

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of <i>Abeliophyllum distichum</i> Nakai (AN) extract in litter moisture, ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), pH, microflora, and FPD. A total of 180 one-day-old Arbor Acres (initial body weight of 37.51±0.17 g) were used for 28 d. Treatments were as follows: basal rice husk + 10 mL tap water (AN0), basal rice husk + 2% AN extract soluble (AN2; 0.2 g/mL), basal rice husk + 4% AN extract soluble (AN4; 0.4 g/mL). Each treatment had five replicates, with twelve birds per pen. At 0 to 2 weeks, the AN0 and AN2 significantly increased the feed intake (FI) compared with the AN4. There was no significant difference (<i>P</i>&gt;0.05) in litter moisture during the experiment period. However, at week 4, the AN0 significantly increased (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) litter pH compared with the AN2 and AN4. At 3 and 4 weeks, the counts of <i>Salmonella</i> in the litter were significantly higher (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) in the AN0 compared with the AN2 and AN4. Also, the AN4 showed significantly lower (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) counts of <i>Salmonella</i> compared with the AN0 and AN4. Moreover, at 4 weeks, the AN0 showed significantly higher (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) counts of <i>E. coli</i> compared with the AN4. Also, AN4 showed significantly decreased (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) FPD scores compared with the AN0. Therefore, the result of this study could support the possibilities of AN extract in litter to alleviate the FPD.