STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF PHYTOADDITIVES ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MEAT QUALITY IN BROILER CHICKENS

Poultry meat is one of the most appreciated animal-derived food products, both for its nutritional value and for its specific sensory properties. For a long time, the preservation of the health of birds and the improvement of growth indicators were achieved through the administration of antibiotics, a technique highly contested due to their residue in finished products. Against the backdrop of these issues, various plant-based products (phytoadditives) have emerged, credited with multiple roles, from improving immunity and digestion efficiency to reducing the action of predominant pathogens and even mitigating the environmental impact of animal farming. The purpose of this study is to create a centralized overview of the effects generated by the available phytogenic additives, for their inclusion in specific bird diets with the aim of improving the quantitative and qualitative aspects of meat production.