Abstract:
This study was aimed to investigate the effects of using lemongrass oil (LO) as feed additive in chickens. The study was divided into two experiments. The first experiment is designed to be a preliminary study. Fifty two, female layer chickens (Barbcock B-380) were assigned to the basal diet (CON) and the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg LO/kg diet (LO100), 200 mg LO/kg diet (LO200) and 400 mg LO/kg diet (LO400). The result from this study showed that there was no significant difference in the total body weight gain, serum malondyaldehyde (MDA) and intestinal histomorphology. Dietary supplemented with the high dose of LO decreased the number of total aerobic bacteria significantly (p< 0.05). In the final week, all of LO groups had higher ND antibody titers than control, however, significant difference was found only in LO 100 group (p< 0.05). The second experiment was studied in 144 female broiler chickens (Cobb 500). Chickens were divided in to four groups and received the same feed as the first trial. The results showed that dietary supplement of LO increased the final body weight of chickens significantly (p<0.05). Feed intake of LO400 group was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control group. Significant improvement of cumulative feed conversion ratio found in LO200 and LO400 group compared with the control group. All three doses of LO supplementation significantly (p<0.05) decreased serum MDA compared with the control. For the gut health, the activities of pancreatic α-amylase significantly (P<0.05) increased in chickens fed all three doses of LO. Dietary supplementation with the high dose of LO decreased the CFU of E. coli and Lactobacilli: E. coli ratio was significantly increased (p<0.05) comparing with those control and the lower dose of LO group. In conclusion, LO had antimicrobial effects and could stimulate immune response in layer chickens. For the broiler, LO fed in diet improved growth performance, inhibited serum lipid peroxidation, increased pancreatic enzyme activity and modulate intestinal microflora. It could be indicated that, LO had the potential to be used as feed additive in chicken.