EFFECT OF A CHITOSAN AND WHEY POWDER COMPLEX ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS OF BROILER CHICKENS: A COMPREHENSIVE SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

This scientific study investigates the physiological, biochemical, and morphofunctional effects of a chitosan and whey powder complex used as a natural alternative to feed antibiotics in industrial poultry farming. The experiment was conducted on Ross-308 broiler chickens over a 42-day rearing period. Hematological and biochemical blood parameters, intestinal morphometry, antioxidant system status, immunological indices, and productive performance were comprehensively evaluated. The results demonstrated that supplementation of broiler diets with chitosan and whey powder significantly optimized protein metabolism, improved intestinal epithelial structure, enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms, and increased feed conversion efficiency. Experimental groups exhibited elevated levels of total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, and immunoglobulin fractions. The height of intestinal villi increased, while the number of pathogenic microorganisms decreased. Activation of antioxidant enzymes was accompanied by a reduction in lipid peroxidation products. The application of the complex contributed to increased live body weight, improved growth performance, and higher economic profitability. The obtained data confirm the high biological efficiency of natural biopolymer feed additives in antibiotic-free poultry production systems.