Evaluation of Three Formulations of Essential Oils in Broiler Chickens under Cyclic Heat Stress

Abstract

The objective of the present research was to assess the dietary supplementation of three formulations of essential oils (EO) in chickens under heat stress (HS). Day-of-hatch Cobb 500 chicks (n = 500) were randomly distributed into four groups: 1. HS control + control diets; 2. HS + control diets supplemented with 37 ppm EO of Lippia origanoides (LO); 3. HS + control diets supplemented with 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm EO of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) + 300 ppm red beetroot; 4. HS + 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm RO + 300 ppm natural betaine. Chickens that received the EO showed significant (p p p p < 0.05). Together these data suggest that supplemental dietary EO may reduce the harmful effects of HS.

Keywords

• broiler chickens
• essential oils
• heat stress
• <i>Lippia origanoides</i>
• <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i>