Influence of dietary lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on broilers under stocking density

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two inclusion levels of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil (LEO) supplementation in broiler diet where broilers were reared under stocking density on productive performance and physiological traits. In this study 378 one-day old Ross-308 broiler chicks were used during 35-day of the study. The birds were randomly assigned into 4 experimental treatments with 3 replicates for each treatment including T0 (Negative control) 72 birds, 24 birds in each replicate, 12 birds in each m2 standard stocking density were given basal diet without additive. From T1 until T3 the birds were reared under stocking density 102 birds, 34 birds each replicate, 17 birds each m2 and the supplementation were T1 (Positive control) basal diet no supplemented, T2 basal diet supplemented with % 0.3 of LEO and T3 basal diet supplemented with % 0.5 of LEO. For analyzing the data Completely Randomized Design (CRD) were used. The results in 35th day showed that experimental treatments had a significant effect on productive performance; live body weight (LBW) T2 2450, T3 2515 g significantly (P≤0.01) compared to T1 2230 g. In addition, improved feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in treatments chickens received LEO and under stocking density. Concerning physiological traits, significantly increased red blood cells (RBCs) 106 cells/mm3, packed cell volume (PCV% ) lymphocyte% decreased heterophil% and H/L ratio. Serum cholesterol and glucose (mg/dL) were significantly decreased. However, increased the production of antibodies against Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). In conclusion, the addition of 0.3 and 0.5% of LEO to broiler chicken diets have the potential effect to improve productive performance, physiological traits, and raising immunity against diseases.