Research Article
Adel Feizi, Reza Ataei Kordlar
Abstract
Recently, uses of alternative strategies to prevent an imbalance in the intestinal microbial population (IMP) and the potential development of intestinal disorders in livestock, developed. Thyme extract have been known to exhibit antimicrobial activity against specific microbial species and could therefore be considered an alternative in controlling the IMP. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the addition of different levels of thyme, added to drinking water, on the gastrointestinal tract. Total bacterial count, of E.coli bacteria was determined in different region of intestine. Two hundred and forty, day-old broiler chicks (Ross-308) were divided into four equal groups (each group include 3 repetition). Experiment was as follow; a control group with no thyme and in other two groups, thyme extract was used 500 ppm and 1000 ppm and in last group feed was pellet and thyme was not used. Experiments were carried out for 42 days and thyme extract was used from day 7 to 42. Results showed that chicks fed with 1000 ppm thyme extract had significantly lower (p