The effect of Stachys inflata on the performance of broiler chickens and Newcastle Disease Antibody Titer

This study shows how performance and NDHI titers of broiler chickens are affected by the plant Stachys inflatay. One hundred and eighty, one day old Ross male broiler chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups of 36 (consisting of 3 replicates) and placed in 12 separate pens. Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 received 0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6% S.inflata in their feed respectively from 8 to 42 days of age. Performance indexes were recorded on a weekly basis. At 42 days of age, serum and mid gut samples were taken for NDHI test and histopathological studies. The results were analyzed by the One Way ANOVA, Tukey test. The body weight of the second group was significantly (P [≤] 0.05) higher than the control from the third week to the end. All treatment groups had HI titers higher than the control but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). In the third group (0.3% S.inflata), relative liver and heart weight were significantly lower than control. No microscopic lesions were observed in mid gut in all experimental groups. It seems that S. inflata reduces harmful intestinal flora which causes better use of feed.