Impact of a phytogenic composition on feed conversion and certain digestive mechanisms in broiler chickens

Currently, a relevant direction in broiler chicken nutrition research is the search for and development of biologically active alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters, among which phytobiotics are included. The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of the effects of two developed phytogenic compositions on feed conversion and certain digestive mechanisms of Smena 9 broiler chickens, based on the study of gastrointestinal tract development and expression of the SLC15A1 gene in the jejunum. Three groups were formed, each consisting of 43 birds. The first group (control) received complete compound feeds, while the second and third groups (experimental) were fed complete compound feeds supplemented with phytogenic compositions containing extracts of common chicory roots, maral root, creeping thyme shoots, and St. John’s wort in various proportions. During different growth periods, live weight gain and feed intake were recorded, and feed conversion ratios were calculated. At 22 days, jejunal samples were collected from three roosters per group to analyze peptide transporter 1 gene expression, and at the end of the experiment, gastrointestinal tract development was assessed anatomically in three roosters per group. The use of the phytogenic composition in the ratio 0.4 : 0.35 : 0.15 : 0.1 favorably influenced nutrient assimilation processes, reflected in better gastrointestinal tract development, a 2.5% reduction in feed costs per 1 kg of weight gain compared to control and the Smena 9 standard, and a 6.5-fold increase in SLC15A1 gene expression ( p = 0.030). This phytogenic composition can be considered a feed additive for industrial poultry production aimed at improving the economic efficiency of poultry meat production.