ThesisofAhmedMusheerAl Khdri

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EFFECT OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) AND THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS)

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE AND IMMUNOLOGICAL
PERFORMANCE OF BROILER
Thesis · July 2013
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Ahmed Musheer Abdulrahman Al-Khdri

University of Duhok
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Kurdistan Regional Government–Iraq
Ministry of Higher Education &
Scientific Research
University of Duhok
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
School of Animal Production
EFFECT OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) AND

THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS) DIETARY
SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE AND
IMMUNOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILER
A THESIS
SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL OF THE FACULTY OF
AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
UNIVERSITY OF DUHOK
AS A PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

DEGREE OF MASTER IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN ANIMAL
PRODUCTION
(POULTRY NUTRITION)
By
AHMED MUSHEER ABDULRAHMAN AL KHDRI

B.Sc. Animal Production
Animal Production
University of Duhok
(2009)
SUPERVISOR BY
Dr. IBRAHIM SAID KLOOR

Professor
Department of Animal Resources
College of Agriculture and Forestry
University of Mosul
July 2013 Tîrmeh 2713 Ramadan 1434

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To:
My dear parents,
My dear sisters,
My dear brothers,
My wonderful wife, and
My dear son, Yazan.
Ahmed Al Khdri
Acknowledgments
First and foremost I thank Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Said Kloor for agreeing
to supervise my thesis and for providing scientific support and
encouragement.
I also would like to thank the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and
Forestry, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mowafaq S. Barwary, and the Head of School of
Animal Production, Assist. Prof. Dr. Kamal N. Dosky, for supporting and
providing facilities for this study. A word of appreciation goes to Dr. Ali
Yahya from the Faculty of Veterinary for his assistance during the
development of my thesis proposal.
Additional thanks are due to my dear colleagues and friends for their
assistance during the practical work of my thesis, especially Dr. Khalil
Barwary, Mr. Rezan Ali Etity, Mr. Reder Khalil, Mr. Sarbast Kheravii, Mr.
Kawa Dosky, Mr. Ahmed Dabash, Mss. Ronak Zakhoy, Mss. Dejen
Mohammad and Mr. Saif Zangana.
Finally warmest thanks go to Mr. Mohammed Ismail Brifkani from
the Institute of Zakho and Dr. Salam Seedo from the Directorate of
Veterinary in Duhok province for their unlimited assistance and support.
Ahmed Al Khdri
Summary I
Summary
This study was carried out from May 13, 2012 to June 23, 2012 at
poultry house of Animal Production School, Faculty of Agriculture and
Forestry, University of Duhok, Duhok city/ Kurdistan Region / Iraq to study
the effect of ginger, thyme and their mixture on broiler performance, carcass
cuts, biochemical blood serum, immunity and intestinal bacteria parameters.
Six-hundred-one-day-old-broiler-chicks (Ross 308) strain were bought from
Amedi hatchery in Sumel District/Duhok city. The chicks were raising
together for 6 days and in 7th day they were randomly distributed into 8
treatments with 3 replicates in a treatment of 75 chicks. Each replicate
consists of 25 chicks and treated as follows:
1. T1…… Negative Control (No antibiotic) : Reared on Standard Ration

2. T2…… Positive Control (Antibiotic) : Reared on Standard Ration with
Antibiotic (FOSBAC PLUS T) 160 mg per 1 kg of live body weight
3. T3…… 0.5% Ginger Powder in Standard Ration
4. T4…… 1% Ginger Powder in Standard Ration
5. T5…… 0.5% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
6. T6…… 1% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
7. T7…… 0.5% Ginger + 0.5% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
8. T8…… 1% Ginger + 1% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
The chicks were fed starter diet from (1 to 21) days and a finisher
diet from (22 to 42 days) throughout the experimental period which lasted
for 6 weeks. Live body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed
conversion ratio and mortality were recorded weekly. Dressing percentage,
carcass cuts percentages, production index, bursa of fabricious and spleen
index were measured at 42 days of age of broiler chicks. Antibodies titers
against Infectious Bursal and Newcastle diseases viruses (IBDV and NDV)
Summary II
were measured in the blood serum of broilers at 27 and 30 days of age

respectively. The total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose
levels in the blood serum were measured at 42 day of age of broilers. Also
the number of Coliform bacteria group was counted in the jejunum part of
the small intestine at 42 days of age.
The Overall Data Shows the Following Results:
1. Dietary supplementation with both levels of ginger powder (0.5 and 1%)
alone and moderate mixture of medicinal herbs powder (0.5% ginger +
0.5% thyme) had significant (p<0.05) positive effects on the most of
broilers performance. The best level of dietary supplementation in live
body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio of broilers was the
diet contain moderate mixture of medicinal herbs powder at level (0.5%
ginger + 0.5% thyme) compared to all treatments including negative and
positive controls.
2. Dietary supplementation with thyme powder alone (0.5% and 1% thyme)
and high dose of mixture of medicinal herbs powder (1% ginger + 1%
thyme) showed no positive effect on the broiler performance when
compared to the positive control (antibiotic) group.
3. There were no significant effects for the treatments on the weekly and
accumulative feed consumption of broilers during the experimental
period.
4. Mortality rate was significantly (p<0.05) lower in those birds fed on
antibiotic, low dose of ginger powder (0.5%), high dose of thyme powder
(1%) and moderate mixture of herbs (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme)
compared to the negative control which was free from any additives.
Summary III
5. Dietary supplementation with herbs mixture (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme)

was significantly (p<0.05) the best in production index compared to all
the treated groups including positive and negative controls.
6. All treatments did not record any significant effect on the dressing and
carcass cuts percentage of broilers when compared to the negative control
which was free from any additives and positive control contained
antibiotic at 42 days of age.
7. The treatments which received ginger powder alone and moderate
mixture of herbs (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) generally were the best in
the levels of total protein and albumin in the blood serum of broiler
chicks at 42 days of age. Also all the treated groups significantly
(p<0.05) lowered the concentration of blood serum cholesterol,
particularly those which received ginger powder alone (0.5 and 1%).
Concerning triglyceride level, the chicks which fed on ginger alone (0.5
and 1%), high dose of thyme powder (1%) and moderate combination of
medicinal plants (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) recorded lower significant
(p<0.05) levels of blood serum triglyceride than the other treatments
including both control groups. Regarding the glucose level, all the
treatments decreased glucose level, especially those birds which fed on
(0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) compared to the negative control.
8. Using moderate mixture of medicinal herbs (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme)
in the broiler`s diet led to significant (p<0.05) improvement of antibodies
titers against Newcastle (ND) and Gumboro (IBD) diseases compared to
all other treatments including positive and negative control groups. It also
has been noted that the diets contained ginger powder alone (0.5 and
1%), thyme powder alone (0.5%) and high combination of ginger and
thyme (1% + 1%) produced birds with significant (p<0.05) higher level
Summary IV
of antibodies titers against Gumboro (IBD) disease compared to the

negative and positive control groups.
9. All the treated groups significantly (p<0.05) lowered the number of
Coliform bacteria group compared to the negative control.
10. The treatment which contained antibiotic and moderate mixture of
medicinal herbs (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) gave best contribution ratio
of net income compared to the other treatments at 42 days of age of
broilers.
In conclusion, dietary supplementation with moderate mixture of

medicinal herbs (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) significantly improved
performance and immunity of the broiler chicks, and it can be a successful
alternative to antibiotics that are used as growth promoters in broilers diets.
Contents V
CONTENTS
Page
No. Subject
No.
Summary I
Contents V
List of Tables VIII
List of Figures X
List of Appendices XII
Chapter One
1. Introduction 1
Chapter Two
2. Review of Literature 3
2.1 Medicinal Plants 3
2.1.1 Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) 4
2.1.2 Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) 6
2.2 Antibiotics 7
2.3 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Broiler`s Performance 9
2.3.1 Live Body Weight 9
2.3.2 Body Weight Gain 11
2.3.3 Feed Consumption 14
2.3.4 Feed Conversion Ratio 17
2.3.5 Mortality Rate 20
The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Carcass Cuts and Visceral
2.4 21
Organs
2.5 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Blood Serum Parameters 24
The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Humoral Immunity and
2.6 27
Lymphoid Organs Weight
Contents VI
The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Intestinal Microbial

2.7 28
Parameters
Chapter Three
3. Materials and Methods 30
3.1 Selection of Medicinal Plants 30
3.2 Birds and Experimental Design 30
3.3 The Performance Traits 39
3.3.1 Live Body Weight and Weight Gain 39
3.3.2 Feed Consumption and Feed Conversion Ratio 39
3.3.3 Mortality Rate 39
3.3.4 Production Index 40
3.4 Carcass Cuts Preparation and Sampling 40
3.4.1 Dressing Percentage 40
3.4.2 Percentages of the Carcass Cuts 41
3.4.3 Lymphoid Organs Index 41
3.5 Collection of Blood Sample 41
3.5.1 Blood Serum Analysis 41
3.5.2 Humoral Immunity Test 42
3.6 Intestinal Microbial Count 47
3.6.1 Collection of Sample 48
3.6.2 Serial Dilution Procedure 48
3.6.3 Calculation of Bacteria Number 50
3.7 Economic Feasibility 51
3.8 Statistical Analysis 51
Chapter Four
4. Results and Discussion 52
4.1 Live Body Weight 52
Contents VII
4.2 Body Weight Gain 56

4.3 Feed Consumption 60
4.4 Feed Conversion Ratio 62
4.5 Mortality Rate 67
4.6 Production Index 68
4.7 Carcass Cuts and Dressing Percentage 71
4.8 Visceral Organs Percentage 73
4.9 Biochemical Blood Serum Parameters 75
4.9.1 The Blood Serum Proteins (Total Protein and Albumin) 75
4.9.2 The Blood Serum Lipids (Cholesterol and Triglyceride) 78
4.9.3 The Blood Serum Glucose 82
4.10 Humoral Immunity and Lymphoid Organs 84
Humoral Immunity (Newcastle and Infectious Bursal Diseases
4.10.1 84
Viruses)
4.10.2 Lymphoid Organs (Bursa of Fabricious and Spleen Index) 86
4.11 Intestinal Microbial Parameter (Coliform Bacteria Group) 89
4.12 Economic Feasibility 94
Chapter Five
5. Conclusions and Recommendations 96
5.1 Conclusions 96
5.2 Recommendations 97
References 98
List of Tables VIII
LIST OF TABLES
Page
No. Title
No.
Lighting Program for Broiler Flock Over 42 Days of Experimental
1 35
Period
Vaccination and Medicinal Program for Broiler Flock Throughout
2 35
42 Days of Experimental Period
Composition of the Experimental Starter Diets Fed to Broilers and
3 36
their Chemical Composition
Chemical Composition of Ginger and Thyme Powder Based on
4 37
Dry Matter
Composition of the Experimental Finisher Diets Fed to Broilers
5 38
and their Chemical Composition
Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic on
6 Average Weekly and Final Live Body Weight (g/bird) of Broiler 55
Chicks
7 Average Weekly and Accumulative Body Weight Gain (g/bird) of 59
Broiler Chicks
8 Average Weekly and Accumulative Feed Consumption (g/bird) of 61
Broiler Chicks
9 Average Weekly and Accumulative Feed Conversion Ratio of 66
Broiler Chicks
Effect of Ginger, Thyme, their Mixture and Antibiotic on Carcass
10 Cuts Percentage and Dressing Percentage with and without Giblet 72
of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age
11 Effect of Ginger, Thyme, their Mixture and Antibiotic on Visceral 74
List of Tables IX
Organs Percentage of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age

Economic Feasibility of the Treatments at 42 Days of Age of
12 95
Broiler
List of Figures X
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
No. Title
No.
The Experimental Design and Parameters Studied in the Present
1 32
Experiment
Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) and Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)
2 33
Powders Which Used in the Experimental Diets.
3 Mature Plant of Ginger and Slices of Ginger Air – Dried Rhizome 33
4 Mature Plant of Thyme and Dried Thyme Leaves 33
Different Ages of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens During the
5 34
Experimental Period
Spectrophotometer Machine that Used for Analysis of Serum
6 42
Biochemical Parameters
ELISA Reader and ELISA Washer that Used for Measuring
7 43
Antibodies Titers of NDV and IBDV
The Colony Counter Apparatus that Used for Counting Bacterial
8 50
Colonies
9 Mortality Rate of Broiler Chicks Over 42 Day of Experimental 69
Period
10 Production Index of Broiler Chicks Over 42 Day of Experimental 70
Period
11 Blood Serum Proteins (Total Protein and Albumin) of Broiler 77
Chicks Over 42 Day of Experimental Period
12 Blood Serum Lipids (Cholesterol and Triglyceride) of Broiler 81
Chicks Over 42 Day of Experimental Period
List of Figures XI

13 Blood Serum Glucose of Broiler Chicks Over 42 Day of 83
Experimental Period
14 NDV (Newcastle Disease Virus), IBDV (Infectious Bursal 87
Disease Virus) Antibodies Titers of Broiler Chicks
Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders , their Mixture and Antibiotic
15 on the Bursa of Fabricious and Spleen Index of Broiler Chicks at 88
42 Days of Age
16 the Coliform Bacteria Group in the Jejunum Part of Small 91
Intestine of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age
The Culture Sample of Coliform Bacteria of T1 (Negative Control
17 without Antibiotic) and T2 (Positive Control with Antibiotic) 92
Broilers Groups
The Culture Sample of Coliform Bacteria of T3 (0.5% Ginger) and
18 92
T4 (1% Ginger) Broilers Groups
The Culture Sample of Coliform Bacteria of T5 (0.5% Thyme)
19 93
and T6 (1% Thyme) Broilers Groups
The Culture Sample of Coliform Bacteria of T7 (0.5% Ginger +
20 93
0.5% Thyme) and T8 (1% Ginger + 1% Thyme) Broilers Groups
List of Appendices XII
LIST OF APPENDICES
Page
No. Title
No.
Mean and Test of Significance for Ginger, Thyme Powders, their
1 Mixture and Antibiotic on Average Weekly and Final Live Body 118
Weight
2 Mixture and Antibiotic on Average Weekly and Accumulative 118
Body Weight Gain
Feed Consumption
Feed Conversion Ratio
5 Mixture and Antibiotic on Production Index and Mortality Rate at 120
42 Days
Mixture and Antibiotic on Live Body and Carcass Weight,
6 120
Dressing Percentage with and without Giblet, Breast, Legs and
Wings Percentages at 42 Days
7 Mixture and Antibiotic on Back, Neck, Abdominal Fat, Liver, 121
Heart, Gizzard and Proventriculus Percentage at 42 Days
8 Mixture and Antibiotic on NDV and IBDV Antibodies Titers, 121
Bursa of Fabricious and Spleen Index
9 122
Mixture and Antibiotic on the Levels of Total Protein, Albumin,
List of Appendices XIII
Cholesterol, Triglyceride and Glucose in the Blood Serum of

Broilers
10 Mixture and Antibiotic on the Coliform Bacteria in the Jejunum 122
Part of Small Intestine of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age
Chapter One Introduction 1
Chapter One
Introduction
Antibiotics are widely used in modern livestock and poultry

production to treat sick animals, but they are also administered in sub-
therapeutic doses, usually in water or feed, to protect animals against
diseases and to promote growth. Sub-therapeutic dose of antibiotics (STAs)
can promote growth, particularly in poultry and hogs, by improving nutrient
absorption and by depressing the growth of organisms that compete for
nutrients, thereby increasing feed efficiency. Early indications of a beneficial
effect of antibiotics on production efficiency in poultry and swine were
reported by Moore et al. (1946) and Jukes et al. (1950). The United States
Food and Drug Administration approved the use of antibiotics as animal feed
additives without veterinary prescription in 1951 (Jones and Ricke, 2003).
Also in the 1950s and 1960s, each European state approved its own national
regulations about the use of antibiotics in animal feeds.
But there is a growing concern among health officials, physicians,
veterinarians and the broader public about the diminishing efficacy of many
antibiotics in treating human and animal diseases. In particular, the
widespread use of antibiotics encourages the growth of antibiotic resistance
in pathogen populations. In agriculture, increased resistance to animal
antibiotics can lead to more severe outbreaks of diseases among animals and
poultry populations. Resistant bacteria may cause diseases directly or they
may pass genetic material associated with resistance on to the other bacteria.
Consequently, there is concern that the widespread use of antibiotics,
including STAs in animals, could promote development of drug-resistant
bacteria that could pass from animals to humans; thus, posing a danger to
human health (Macdonald and Wang, 2009). In response to these concerns,
Chapter One Introduction 2
the European Union (EU) has banned the use of antimicrobial drugs for
growth promotion from January 1, 2006 (Anonymous, 2005). The phasing
out of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) will affect the poultry and animal
industry. To minimize the loss in growth, there is a need to find alternatives
to AGP. There are a number of non-therapeutic alternatives such as
enzymes, inorganic acids, probiotics, prebiotics, medicinal plants and other
management practices (Banerjee, 1998).
Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for the treatment of
various diseases, in both humans and animals. A number of dietary herbs,
plant extracts and essential oils have been studied for their antimicrobial and
growth promoting abilities in poultry (Cross et al., 2007). When
incorporated into broiler diets, some herbal supplements have improved
growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, carcass and meat quality in
broilers, with reduced feed cost (Huang et al., 1992). Moreover, active
components of herbs may improve digestion and stimulate the immune
function in broilers (Ghazalah and Ali, 2008). In the diseased chickens
(either infected with avian Mycoplasma gallisepticum or Eimeria tenella),
Guo and his colleagues Guo et al. (2004a, 2004b, 2004c) demonstrated that
medicinal plants and their extracts could improve the growth performance,
reduce the populations of coli forms, perfringens and enhance both cellular
and humoral immune responses of chickens. Some herbal extracts have also
been shown to possess a coccidiostatic activity (Allen et al., 1997; Youn and
Noh, 2001; Christakia et al., 2004). In many studies, the different active
components of herbal plants showed different efficiencies on poultry
performance, so the current study aimed to investigate the effect of two
levels of herbs (zingiber officinale and thymus vulgaris ) and their
combination in the diet as an alternative of antibiotic growth promoter on the
performance, some biochemical and immunological traits of broiler chicks.
Chapter Two Review of Literature 3
Chapter Two
Review of Literature
2.1 Medicinal Plants
Natural feed additives of plant origin are believed to be safer,
healthier and less regarded than synthetic additives (antibiotics). It was
estimated that there are 250000- 500000 species of plants on earth (Borris,
1996; Hashemi and Davoodi, 2010). Recent bans and restrictions on the use
of animal antibiotic growth promoters stimulated interest in bioactive
secondary metabolites of plant source as alternative performance enhancers
(Greathead, 2003). Many scientists have searched for alternatives to
antibiotics through utilization of the extracts or leaves of some of these
plants (Longhout, 2000; Mellor, 2000; Wenk, 2000; Kamel, 2001; Alcicek et
al., 2003). The supplementation of spices and herbs could have many
benefits to broilers health and performance such as having antioxidative
potential (Hui, 1996), antimicrobial activity (Dorman and Deans, 2000),
enhancing digestion by stimulating endogenous enzymes (Brugalli, 2003).
Naidoo et al. (2008) demonstrated that antioxidant rich plant extracts have
potential benefits in treating coccidial infections.
Herbs and herbal products are incorporated in poultry diets to

replace synthetic products in order to stimulate or promote the effective use
of feed nutrients which may subsequently result in more rapid body weight
gain, higher production rates and improved feed efficiency. Moreover, active
components of herbs may improve digestion and stimulate the immune
function in broilers (Ghazalah and Ali, 2008). Steiner (2009) stated that
medicinal plants and essential oils extracted from these plants are becoming
more important due to their antimicrobial effects and the stimulating effects
on the animal digestive systems. The microflora of the small intestine is
made up mostly of lactic-acid producing bacteria (Engberg et al., 2000).

Lactic acid is the fermentation byproduct of lactic-acid producing bacteria
and the increase in lactic acid concentrations in the poultry gastrointestinal
tract that causes the pH to drop, and thus preventing the colonization of
certain pathogens (Zhang et al., 2003). Also, Rahimi et al. (2011) observed
that plant extracts can increase the number of lactic acid bacteria in the ileal
and ceacal contents of broilers. It has been shown that the dietary
incorporation of herbs and their associated essential oils may provide
beneficial effects on poultry performance and health due to the antimicrobial
activity of their phytochemical components (Lee et al., 2004b). However,
other studies have not found positive effects of herbs and their related
essential oils. These latter findings may be related to experimental
conditions, such as hygiene and dietary agents (Lee et al., 2003a).
2.1.1 Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)

Ginger Zingiber Officinale (Roscoe) is an underground rhizome
plant that belongs to the family Zingibeaceae and now it is considered a
common constituent of diet worldwide (Sertie' et al., 1991) and widely used
as a spice. The genus Zingiber was named after the Sanskrit word zindschi
(hornshaped) by the English botanist William Roscoe (1753-1831), in a
report published in 1807 (Roscoe, 1807).
Ginger, probably, originates from South-East Asia. The ancient

Greeks and Romans brought the rhizome to Southern Europe. Already in the
(11th) century, it is mentioned in Anglo-Saxon veterinary pharmacopoeias
and leech books. In the (13th) century, it was well known in all of Europe,
and the Spanish established first plantations in the West Indies (mainly
Jamaica) and in Mexico in the 16th century. Nowadays ginger is cultivated in
the tropical parts of the world, from Asia to Africa, and large parts of South
and Central America; mainly in India, in southern China, Indonesia, Nepal,
and Nigeria. The best quality is said to come from Jamaica (Köhler, 1887;
Wichtl, 2002).
Ginger is a medicinal plant which is widely used all over the world.
The main important compounds in Ginger (Zingiber officinale) are gingerol,
gingerdiol and gingerdione which have the ability to stimulate digestive
enzymes, affect the microbial activity (Dieumou et al., 2009) when used in
broiler diets. The pungent taste of ginger is caused by gingerol (Jolad et al.,
2004; Shariq et al., 2011) which contains an enzyme called “zingibain” that
aids digestion (Adulyatham and Owusu-Apenten, 2005). Also it act, as an
antioxidant (Nakatani, 2000; Rababah et al., 2004), antimicrobial
(Akoachere et al., 2002; Jagetia et al., 2003; Mahady et al., 2003), and has
various pharmacological effects (Chrubasik et al., 2005; Ali et al., 2008).
Immuno-modulatory, antitumori-genic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic,
anti-hyperglycemic, anti-lipidemic and antiemetic properties are among the
other therapeutic effects of ginger observed (Badreldin et al., 2008).
Powdered rhizome of ginger has long been used as traditional medicine to
alleviate the gastrointestinal illnesses (Afzal et al., 2001).
Ginger extracts have shown to exhibit antibacterial activity in in-

vitro studies (Malu et al., 2008; Indu and Nirmala, 2010). Ginger has been
found to enhance pancreatic lipase activity (Platel and Srinivasan, 2000),
intestinal lipase, disaccharidase, sucrase and maltase activities of rats (Platel
and Srinivasan, 1996). All of these have favorable effects on gut function,
which is the primary mode of action for growth promoting feed additives
(Windisch et al., 2008).
2.1.2 Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) is a member of Lamiaceae family with the
main components of phenols, thymol (40%) and carvacrol (15%) (Mikaili et
al., 2010). It is a pleasant smelling perennial shrub, which grows in several
regions in the world (Davis, 1982). Thyme is native to the Western
Mediterranean region and Southern Italy. It is cultivated all over the world
and has naturalized in some areas including the North- eastern of the US.
This herb is used traditionally for several medicinal purposes: respiratory
diseases, antimicrobial, antinociceptive and etc (Demir et al., 2008). Thyme
is used to suppress coughing, eases chest congestion and stimulates
production of salvia (Baytop, 1984; Lueng and Foster, 1996; Jellin et al.,
2000; Barnes et al., 2002).
Thymol (5-methyl-1-2-isopropyl phenol) and carvacrol (5-isopropyl-

2-methyl phenol) are the main phenolic components in Thymus vulgaris
(Masada, 1976), which have been both shown to possess potent antioxidant
properties (Aeschbach et al., 1994). Antibacterial, anticoccidial, antifungal
and antioxidant effects were reported by Hagmullar et al. (2006). Essential
oils and their components can be good antioxidants, having antibacterial
activity and no cytotoxic effects, preventing further mortality and improving
general health of broilers (Hoffman and Wu, 2010). Furthermore, Allen et al.
(1998), Denil et al. (2004) and Cross et al. (2007) reported the beneficial
effects of thyme in poultry production.
2.2 Antibiotics
Chemical feed additives have been widely used in poultry industry
since long time to increase animals’ performance with regard to growth and
feed efficiency (Collington et al., 1990). Therefore, about 80% of domestic
animals have been fed synthetic compounds for the purpose of either
medication or growth promotion (Lee et al., 2001). Antibiotics are microbial
metabolites produced by fungi and algae which have low molecular weight
and can inhibit the growth of other microorganisms even in low
concentrations (Nir and Ve-Senkoylu, 2000). In 1950 antibiotics were
approved for use as animal feed additives (Gersema and Helling, 1986). A
total of 32 veterinary non-prescription antibiotic compounds are approved
for use in broiler feeds in the U.S. Eleven compounds are listed as growth
promoters (AGP), fifteen are listed to treat coccidiosis and six are listed for
other purposes (Jones and Ricke, 2003).
Various estimates have been calculated by the Institute of Medicine

(Khachatourians, 1998; Committee on Drug Use in Animals, 1999; Mellon,
2001), the Animal Health Institute, a trade organization (Carnevale, 2000),
and the Union of Concerned Scientists (Mellon, 2001). Human use of
antibiotics has been estimated at (1.36–14.64) million kg/yr while estimated
antibiotic use in animal production is (7.36–11.18) million kg/yr. In
Australia the amount of antibiotics used in animals is much greater than in
humans (500,000) kg compared to (300,000) kg per year (Jetacar, 1999).
The chemical feed additives (antibiotics) have negative impacts on

the consumers due to their residues which mostly remain in the broiler
products. Increasing bacterial–resistant strains and special concerns about
transferring resistant from animals to humans via food chain have caused the
decreased or baned usage of antibiotics in poultry industry
(Khachatourians,1998; Kamel, 2001). Bacteria are very adaptable organisms

because of their very short generation time (as little as 15 to 20 minutes for
some species under ideal conditions) and their propensity for sharing genetic
information even among different species of bacteria. The presence of an
antibiotic may kill most of the bacteria in an environment but the resistant
survivors can eventually re-establish themselves and pass their resistance
genes on to their offspring and, often, to other species of bacteria. Both
medical and veterinary uses of antibiotics have resulted in the appearance of
resistant strains of bacteria. Resistant bacteria which are human pathogens
may cause diseases that are difficult to treat even if the resistant bacteria are
not human pathogens, they may still be dangerous because they can transfer
their antibiotic resistance genes to other bacteria that are pathogenic (Taylor,
1997; Barton, 1998; Witte, 1998; Wegener et al., 1999). One of the first
reports of resistance in food animals was made by Starr and Reynolds (1951)
after experimental feeding of streptomycin in turkeys. Other researchers
(Barnes, 1958; Elliott and Barnes, 1959) have reported an association of
resistance to tetracycline when growth-promoting levels of antibiotic are fed
to chickens.
The scientific ground submitted by Sweden, as well as the

conclusions of the World Health Organization (1997) and of the Economic
and Social Committee of the European Union (1998), led no longer to
authorize the use of antibiotics as growth promoters; Regulation 1831/2003
stated that antibiotics, other than coccidiostats and histomonostats, might be
marketed and used as feed additives only until December 31, 2005; as from
January 1, 2006, those substances would be deleted from the Community
Register of authorizedfeed additives(Castanon, 2007). Also Disease Control
& Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA is in favor of banning these feed
antibiotics in the USA (Hileman, 2002). Finally, the ban of antibiotics in

animal feeds will have consequences in the international trade of poultry
meat because the European Union only imports foods obtained from animals
that were not fed with antibiotics, in application of the precaution principle
allowed by the World Trade Organization. However, because concern is
rising that drug-resistant pathogens could be transmitted to humans via the
food-chain (World Health Organization, 2003, 2004), it is expected that the
use of antimicrobials in animal production will decrease in further years, at
least in those farms with better hygiene conditions.
2.3 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Broiler’s Performance

2.3.1 Live Body Weight
Body weight is a very important trait in the broiler industry. Many
studies were conducted to investigate the effects of medicinal herbs on the
body weight of broilers. Mohamed et al. (2012) reported that body weight
was significantly (P˂ 0.05) improved by the supplementation of dietary
ginger powder at levels 0.1and 0.2% compared to the control group, being
2020.83, 2075.90 and 1875 g/bird respectively during 42 days of age. Also
according to the researchers Moorthy et al. (2009), adding 0.2% ginger into
the broiler diets improved body weight significantly (P˂ 0.05) compared to
the control group, being 1898.66g and 1867.14g respectively over 42 of age.
On the other hand, there were no significant differences in body weight
when 0.05% of ginger powder used in broiler diets (El-Deek et al., 2002).
The same researchers also in the trial 2 added 0.1% of ginger powder into
the broiler diets but they did not find any effect on the body weight.
Ademola et al. (2009) showed that using 1 and 1.5% of ginger in broiler
diets had no significant effect on the body weight, while adding 2% of
ginger had significant (P˂ 0.01) negative impact on the body weight
compared to the control group, being 1829.05g and 2000g respectively

during (56 days of age). There was no improvement in body weight of
broiler chickens fed 2% of dried Zingiber officinale rhizomes supplement
when compared to the chickens fed the control (Thayalini et al., 2011). This
is in agreement with the findings of Al-Homidan (2005) who used 2 and 6%
of ginger powder into the broiler diets and did not find any effects on the
final body weight when compared to the control group.
Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) studied the effect of thyme essential oil
on the broilers and they reported that dietary broiler chickens with thyme
essential oil 300 mg/kg diet improved live body weight significantly (P˂
0.05) compared to the control, being 2312.50g and 2063g respectively over
38 days of experimental period. Similar results were obtained by Toghyani
et al. (2010) who mentioned that adding thyme powder 5g/kg diet had
significant (P˂ 0.05) positive effect on the body weight (2079g) compared
to the control which was (1956g), while there were no significant differences
between thyme group 5g/kg and antibiotic group, but adding thyme 10g/kg
diet did not affect the body weight compared to control but when compared
to antibiotic group, there was a significant (P˂ 0.05) decrease in the body
weight of broilers during 42-d of experimental period, which were 1949g
and 2091g respectively. Birds received 0.8% thyme powder among different
levels of thyme powder (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) during the whole experiment (1
– 42 days) gave the best result in body weight compared to the control (P˂
0.01), being 2244g and 2043.4g respectively (Al-Jugifi, 2009). It also had
positive effects on production index and relative growth rate, being (270 and
193) respectively compared to the production index and relative growth rate
in the control group, (220 and 192) respectively.
Foroughi et al. (2011) added different levels of thyme essential oil
(45, 90, 135, 180, 225 and 270 mg/kg diet) to the broilers Ross 308 diets and
they reported that adding 180 mg/kg diet significantly (P˂ 0.05) improved
final body weight when compared to the control, (2733.43g and 2677.68g)
respectively of experiment lasted for 48 days. While adding high dose of
thyme essential oil 270 mg/kg diet had negative impact on the final body
weight being (2618.23g) compared to the control group which was
(2677.68g). Rahimi et al. (2011) did not find any effect of thyme extract on
body weight when used 0.1% thyme extract through drinking water
compared to the control, but they found that there was a significant (P˂ 0.05)
decrease in the body weight of birds received 0.1% thyme extract through
drinking water compared to antibiotic group over 1 – 42 days (2423.30g and
2595.4g) respectively. Sadeghi et al. (2011) investigated that
supplementation of thyme herb 5g/liter water had a significant (P˂ 0.05)
negative impact on the live body weight of 21-day-old male broilers when
compared to the control group, (681g and 725g) respectively. Najafi and
Torki, (2010) concluded that adding 200 mg/kg of thyme essential oil did not
have any effects on broiler body weight during the periods 1 – 42 and 1 – 49
days of age.
2.3.2 Body Weight Gain
Body weight gain is one of the most important measures that can be
used to evaluate the performance of a flock of broilers by the researcher.
Herawati and Marjuk (2011) reported that adding 1.5% of ginger powder
into the broiler diet significantly (P˂ 0.05) improved the total weight gain
compared to the control, being 1955.5g and 1899.7g respectively during 5
weeks. Similar results were obtained when broilers fed diets containing 1.5%
of red ginger when compared to the control, 0.5%, 1% and 2% groups, being
1955.53, 1899.71, 1888.44, 1858.25 and 1859.5 g/bird respectively during
five weeks (Herawati, 2010). Tekeli et al. (2011) used different levels of
ginger and propolis extract as alternatives for antibiotic growth promoter,
and they found that using 240ppm of ginger in broilers diet had a significant
(P˂ 0.05) positive effect on body weight gain compared to the control group,
(2342.80g and 1973.71g) respectively over six weeks, while there were no
significant differences between ginger and antibiotic groups. Weight gain
was significantly (P˂ 0.05) improved by the supplementation of dietary
ginger powder at level 0.1 and 0.2% being 1436.79g and 1467.42g
respectively compared to the control 1289.17g during 42 days (Mohamed et
al., 2012). Arshad et al. (2012) showed that adding (30, 40 and 50) ml of
ginger extract per liter of drinking water of broilers significantly (P˂ 0.05)
increased body weight gain (1335g, 1349g and 1353g) respectively
compared to the control group which was (1215g). On the other hand,
Ademola et al. (2009) concluded that using 1 and 1.5% of ginger in broiler
diets had no effects on the body weight gain, while adding 2% of ginger had
a negative significant (P˂ 0.01) effect on the body weight gain compared to
the control group, which were (1144.31g and 1347.87g) respectively over 56
days. Thayalini et al. (2011) reported that there was no improvement in body
weight gain of broiler chickens fed 2% of dried Zingiber officinale rhizomes
supplement. Al-Homidan (2005) added 2 and 6% of ginger powder into the
broiler diet and observed that ginger had a significant negative (P˂ 0.05)
impact on the daily body weight gain from 1 – 4 week of age when
compared to the control group, being (34.8g, 33.69g and 37.5g) respectively,
while there was no effect on daily body weight gain of broilers from 4 – 7
week of age when compared to the control group. Using different levels of
ginger 1.5, 3 and 4.5% did not have any significant effects on the weight
gain in the cockerel chicks (Kehinde et al., 2011).
In contrast, Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) noted that supplementation

of broiler diet with thyme essential oil 300 mg/kg diet significantly (P˂ 0.05)
increased body weight gain to (2424.25g) compared to the control group
which was (2021g) during experimental period (38 days). Using different
levels of thyme powder 1, 1.5 and 2% in the broiler diet cause significant
(P˂ 0.05) increase in daily weight gain compared to the control, (39.86g,
39.79g, 41.61g and 37.48g) respectively (Mansoub and Myandoab, 2011).
According to Al-Jugifi (2009), accumulative body weight gain of broiler
chickens significantly (P˂ 0.01) increased (2202g) compared to the control
(2001.4g) when 0.8% thyme powder used in broiler diets during 49 days of
experimental period. Foroughi et al. (2011) used different levels (45, 90,
135, 180, 225 and 270 mg/kg diet) of thyme essential oil in broilers diets and
they did not find any effect on the daily weight gain. Using thyme powder
1g/kg diet did not affect body weight gain of the broilers compared to the
control, but there was a significant (P˂ 0.05) decrease in body weight gain
(1841.9g) when compared to antibiotic group (Flavomycin) being (2114.8g)
over 42-d growth period (Demir et al., 2008). These findings are in
agreement with the results obtained by Ocak et al. (2008) who found no
significant difference in weight gain of broilers fed 0.2% thyme dietary
supplementation when compared to the control. Similar results were
obtained by Rahimi et al. (2011) when they used 0.1% thyme extract
through drinking water compared to the control, while there were significant
(P˂ 0.05) differences between weight gain of 0.1% thyme extract and
antibiotic groups during 1 – 42 days growth period (2379.60g and 2550.60g)
respectively. Furthermore, adding different levels of thymus vulgaris (0.2,
0.4 and 0.6%) through drinking water did not improve body weight gain of
broiler chickens compared to the control (Abdulkarimi et al., 2011), which
are in agreement with the results obtained by Sadeghi et al. (2011) who
added thyme herb 5g/liter water and did not find any effect on the average
daily weight gain of male broilers at 1-21 days of age. Tekeli et al. (2006)
concluded that adding 120 mg/kg of thyme essential oil did not affect broiler
weight gain when compared to antibiotic and control groups over 1 – 42
days, which are in agreement with the findings of Najafi and Torki (2010)
when they used 200 mg/kg thyme essential oil in broilers diet.
2.3.3 Feed Consumption

Feed cost represents approximately 60 – 70% of the total cost of
production for the most classes of livestock and the improvement of the feed
efficiency should be a major consideration of the breeding and feeding
programs. To investigate the effect of ginger and thyme on the feed
consumption, many studies were conducted. Herawati and Marjuk (2011)
used different levels of ginger powder 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% in the diets of 5
days old Hubbard strain broiler chicken, feed consumption was significantly
(P˂ 0.01) decreased in a group fed 2% ginger compared to the control group
being (3966.7 and 4180 g/bird) respectively through 5 weeks of
experimental period, while feed consumption was significantly (P˂ 0.01)
increased in the group received 0.5% being (4405.5g), but there were no
significant differences in the feed consumption of groups fed 1 and 1.5% of
ginger powder when compared to the control group. Mohamed et al. (2012)
stated that feed consumption of broiler chickens was significantly (P˂ 0.05)
decreased by the supplementation of dietary ginger powder at levels 0.1 and
0.2% compared to the control, being (2852.66, 2791.67 and 2909.62 g/bird)
respectively over 42 days. Also Arshad et al. (2012) reported that using
ginger extract (40 and 50) ml/liter through drinking water of broilers caused
a significant (P˂ 0.05) decrease in the feed intake per bird compared to the
control, being (2243g, 2302g and 2399g) respectively. Using 2 and 6% of

ginger powder in the broiler diets did not affect the daily feed consumption
during the period 1 – 6 week, but from 6 – 7 weeks of age, the level 6% had
a significant positive effect (P˂ 0.05) on the daily feed consumption
compared to group 2% and the control, being (121g, 147.5g and 154g)
respectively (Al-Homidan, 2005). Tekeli et al. (2011) showed that feed
consumption increased significantly (P˂ 0.05) in groups fed on antibiotic
and 240 ppm ginger compared to the group which fed control diet through
the experimental period 1 – 42 days, (3970.13, 3909.71 and 3334.86 g/bird)
respectively.
Moorthy et al. (2009) concluded that using 0.2% ginger in the
broiler diets did not affect the feed intake. Similar results were found by El-
Deek et al. (2002) when they used 0.05% of ginger powder in broiler diets
and did not find any effect on feed intake. The same researchers in the trial 2
used 0.1% of ginger powder in the broiler diets but there were no differences
in the levels of feed intake between treatments and control. These results
were in agreement with those of Ademola et al. (2009) who reported that
using 1, 1.5 and 2% of ginger powder in broiler diets had no significant
effect on feed intake. Similar results were obtained by Kehinde et al. (2011)
when they used different levels of ginger 1.5, 3 and 4.5% and there were no
differences in the levels of feed intake of cockerel chicks. Al-Jugifi (2009)
mentioned that feed consumption of broiler chickens fed diets containing
0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% thyme powder significantly decreased (P˂ 0.01) compared
to 0.6% and control groups, being (3651.86, 3663.66, 3704.99, 3985.33 and
3885.5 g/bird) respectively during seven weeks. Abdulkarimi et al. (2011)
showed that using alcoholic thyme extract 0.2% through drinking water
caused increasing in the daily feed intake of broiler chickens compared to
the control (P˂ 0.05), (53.8 and 49.6 g/bird) respectively, while there were
no significant differences in the daily feed intake of broilers drank water

containing 0.4 and 0.6% thyme extract during 42 days of age.
On the other hand, Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) reported that feed
intake in broilers was not affected by supplementation of thyme essential oil
300 mg/kg diet. While Mansoub and Myandoab (2011) used different levels
of thyme powder in the broiler diets and they observed that adding 0.75 and
1% did not affect daily feed intake compared to the control, but when the
usage of thyme powder increased to1.5 and 2%, it caused a significant (P˂
0.05) increasing in daily feed take being (81.62g and 81.79g) respectively
compared to the control group which was (78.21g) during 1 – 42 days.
Furthermore, adding thyme powder 5 and 10 g/kg diet had no significant
effect on the daily feed intake of broiler chickens during the period of
breeding 1 – 42 days compared to the antibiotic and control groups
(Toghyani et al., 2010). These findings are in agreement with those of
Foroughi et al. (2011) who did not find any differences in the daily feed
consumption of broilers when used different levels of thyme essential oil in
the broiler diets compared to the control during 42 days of age. Also Demir
et al. (2008) used thyme powder 1g/kg diet but did not find any effect on
feed intake of broilers over 42-d growth period when compared to the
control group, while there was a significant (P˂ 0.05) decrease in the feed
intake of thyme and control groups compared to the antibiotic group,
(3753.2g, 3761.3g and 4091.7g) respectively. These findings are in
agreement with results obtained by Ocak et al. (2008) who did not observe
significant differences in feed intake of broilers fed 0.2% thyme powder.
Similar results were found by Rahimi et al. (2011) who used 0.1% thyme
extract through drinking water of broilers compared to the control and
antibiotic groups. Tekeli et al. (2006) mentioned that using 120 mg/kg of
thyme essential oil did not affect broilers feed consumption compared to the
antibiotic and control during 42 days, which are in agreement with the
results of Najafi and Torki (2010) when used 200 mg/kg thyme essential oil
in broilers diet.
2.3.4 Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
Feed conversion is an index associated with both feed consumption

and weight gain and well known that broiler chickens are more efficient in
conversion feed than other farm animals. Many medicinal herbs used in
human diet which are known as “spices” and improve digestibility. The
same property can be used in poultry to increase the FCR which results in
increasing body weight and more profit (Moorthy et al., 2009). Herawati and
Marjuk, (2011) stated that feed conversion ratio was significantly improved
(P˂ 0.05) when different levels of dietary ginger powder used in broilers 0.5,
1, 1.5 and 2% compared to the control group, being (2.15, 2.20, 2.15, 2.14
and 2.27) respectively during 35 days, which are in agreement with those of
Mohamed et al. (2012) who found that feed conversion ratio of broilers was
significantly improved (P˂ 0.05) by the supplementation of dietary ginger
powder 0.2% compared to the group 0.1% and the control, which were (1.90,
1.98 and 2.25) respectively through 42 days of experimental period. On the
other hand, Moorthy et al. (2009) did not observe any differences in the FCR
of broilers fed 0.2% ginger powder compared to the control. Also El-Deek et
al. (2002) did not find any differences between FCR of the treatments and
the control in the trial (1) and (2) when used 0.05 and 0.1% ginger powder
respectively in broilers diets. Ademola et al. (2009) noted that using high
dose of ginger powder 2% had a highly significant negative impact (P˂ 0.01)
on the broilers FCR compared to the treatments 1%, 1.5% and the control,
(3.14, 2.71, 2.67 and 2.56 respectively) during 56 days of age, while there
were no differences in the FCR of broilers fed 1 and 1.5% ginger compared
to the control group. Otherwise, Thayalini et al. (2011) mentioned that there
was no improvement in feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens fed on high
dose of dried Zingiber officinale rhizomes supplement 2% compared to the
chickens fed the control. Using different levels of ginger powder 1.5, 3 and
4.5% statistically did not affect the feed conversion ratio of cockerel chicks
(Kehinde et al., 2011), which is in agreement with that of Tekeli et al.
(2011) who used different percentages of ginger and propolis extract (ginger
240 ppm, propolis 1000 ppm, ginger 120 + propolis 500 ppm, ginger 240 +
propolis 1000 ppm, ginger 360 + propolis 1500 ppm) as alternatives for
antibiotic growth promoter, but they did not observe any significant
differences between the treatments and the groups of control and antibiotic.
Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) reported that dietary supplementation in

broilers with thyme essential oil 300 mg/kg diet had a significant positive
effect (P˂ 0.05) on feed conversion ratio being (1.45) compared to the
control group which was (1.69) through 1 – 38 days, which is in agreement
with that of Al-Jugifi (2009) who added different percentage of thyme
powder in the broilers diets and observed that birds received dietary thyme
supplementation 0.8% gave the best result (P˂ 0.01) in accumulative FCR
compared to the 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and control groups, being (1.69, 2.03,
1.99, 2.13 and 1.89 ) respectively during 49 days. Similar results were
obtained by Foroughi et al. (2011) who used different levels of thyme
essential oil in broilers diets and they concluded that adding 180 mg/kg diet
significantly (P˂ 0.05) improved feed conversion ratio compared to the
control group during 48-days growth period (1.83 and 1.86) respectively.
Al-Niumi (1999) stated that adding 1% of thyme powder in the male broiler
diet significantly improved feed efficiency compared to other treatments
including control group. Mansoub and Myandoab (2011) showed that

increasing in the usage percentages of thyme powder in broiler diets had a
significant (P˂ 0.05) negative feedback on the FCR, especially when used 1,
1.5 and 2% of thyme powder in broiler chickens diets being (2.8, 2.6 and
2.8) respectively compared to the FCR of control group which was (2.10)
over 42 days. This is in agreement with the findings of Toghyani et al.
(2010) who used two levels of thyme powder 5 and 10 g/kg diet and found
that broiler fed high level of thyme 10 g/kg had a significant (P˂ 0.05)
negative effect on FCR compared to the thyme 5g/kg, antibiotic and control
groups, (2.03, 1.9, 1.86 and 1.95) respectively during 6 weeks while there
were no differences between thyme 5g/kg, antibiotic and control groups.
Adding different levels of alcoholic thymus vulgaris extract (0.2, 0.4 and
0.6%) in drinking water of broilers did not affect the accumulative FCR
during 1 – 42 days of age (Abdulkarimi et al., 2011). Also using thyme
powder 1g/kg diet did not affect feed conversion ratio of broilers over 42-d
growth period, while there was a negative significant (P˂ 0.05) effect on
feed conversion ratio compared to the antibiotic group, (2.04 and 1.94)
respectively (Demir et al., 2008). This is in agreement with the findings of
Ocak et al. (2008) who did not find differences between feed conversion
ratios of broilers fed 0.2% thyme powder and control diet. Similar results
were found by Rahimi et al. (2011) when they used 0.1% aqueous thyme
extract in the drinking water of broilers and did not observe any differences
in the feed conversion ratio compared to the control and antibiotic groups
through 42 days. Sadeghi et al. (2011) reported that supplementation of
thyme herb 5g/liter of broilers drinking water did not affect the feed
conversion ratio. Also Tekeli et al. (2006) added thyme essential oil 120
mg/kg diet and they did not find any effects on the broilers feed conversion
ratio over 1 – 42 days of breeding period compared to the control and
antibiotic groups, which is in agreement with those of Najafi and Torki

(2010) who used 200 mg/kg of thyme essential oil in broilers diet during
experimental period 1 – 49 days.
2.3.5 Mortality Rate
Mortality rate is defined as the death of birds as a result of many

factors; for example, by disease, injury, physiological system failure or
unidentified causes, which show that the welfare has been poor, so
increasing in mortality rate will lead to decrease the number of birds at
marketing age and finally will lower the income of project. For this reason,
many researchers tried to minimize the percentage of mortality using
different feed additives including medicinal plants. Al-Hamadani et al.
(2010) used two levels of ginger powder 0.4 and 0.8% and they reported that
mortality rate was zero in the group fed 0.8% ginger powder compared to the
0.4% ginger, antibiotic and control groups which were (2.27, 2.27 and 6.82
%). While Thayalini et al. (2011) mentioned that there was no significant
difference in mortality rate of broiler chickens fed on dried Zingiber
officinale rhizomes supplement 2% compared to the control, which is in
agreement with the finding of Mohamed et al. (2012) who did not observe
any mortality case during 42 days of experimental period when used 0.1 and
0.2% ginger powder through diet in broiler chickens. Also Zomrawi et al.
(2012) who used different levels of ginger root powder 0.5, 1 and 1.5% in
broilers diets did not find significant differences in mortality rate when
compared to the control group. Foroughi et al. (2011) used different levels of
thyme essential oil in broilers diets and they did not find any effect on the
mortality rate compared to the control group over 48-days. On the other
hand, there was zero mortality rate of broilers drank water containing 0.1%
aqueous thyme extract compared to the mortality rate of the control and
antibiotic groups which were 1.25 and 0.50 % respectively (Rahimi et al.,
2011). While according to Ocak et al. (2008) there was no difference among
groups in terms of mortality of broilers fed on 0.2% thyme powder and
control diet during the experiment.
2.4 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Carcass Cuts and

Visceral Organs
Studies have been concentrating on improvement of broiler carcass
in order to meet the customer’s desire. This improvement accomplishes
through genetic selection, nutrition and breeding technology to produce high
carcass weight with limited abdominal fat. Herawati and Marjuki (2011)
noted when compared between control and four levels of red ginger powder
that diets supplementation with 1, 1.5 and 2% red ginger powder had
significant (P˂ 0.05) higher carcass percentage (dressing%) (62.9, 62.9 and
64.9 %) respectively than those received 0.5% and control diet being (59.6
and 57.8%), abdominal fat percentage decreased significantly (P˂ 0.05) in
broilers fed diets supplemented with red ginger powder 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%
compared to those broilers fed the basal diet, (1.87, 1.85, 1.81, 1.75 and
2.56) respectively.
Ademola et al. (2009) showed that there were no significant

differences in the relative weights of (neck, thighs, breast and back) when
used 1 and 1.5% ginger powder in broilers diets but relative weight of wings
was positively affected (P˂ 0.001) compared to the control group, which
were (9.21, 9.00 and 8.55%) respectively, while using 2% of ginger caused a
significant (P˂ 0.001) decrease in relative weight of (breast and back) being
(12.86 and 12.23%) respectively compared to the control group, (14.59 and
13.06% ) respectively, but did not affect the relative weights of (neck, thighs
and wings), relative weight of abdominal fat pad decreased significantly (P˂
0.001) when using different levels of ginger 1, 1.5 and 2% compared to the
control, being (0.85, 0.56, 0.45 and 1.88%) respectively. While Tekeli et al.
(2011) did not find significant differences in carcass yield, hot carcass, cold
carcass, proventriculus, gizzard and heart weight of broilers fed on 240 ppm
of ginger powder compared to the antibiotic and control groups, while there
was a significant (P˂ 0.05) increase in the percentage of abdominal fat in the
birds fed on ginger powder 240 ppm compared to the control group, (1.86
and 1.25%) respectively. Also liver weight increased significantly (P˂ 0.05)
in birds received ginger powder 240 ppm and antibiotic compared to the
control group, (44.40g, 47.61g and 38.22g) respectively. Moorthy et al.
(2009) noted that adding 0.2% ginger powder into the broilers diet did not
affect the weights of carcass, gizzard, liver, heart and dressing percentage.
El-Deek et al. (2002) found no differences in dressing percentage,
abdominal fat and liver relative weights of broilers fed diets supplemented
with 0.05 and 0.1% ginger powder. While Mansoub and Myandoab (2011)
stated that using a high dose of thyme powder 2% in the broilers diets caused
increasing in breast and thighs yield (P˂ 0.05) being (35.26 and 27.37%)
respectively compared to the control group which were (32.08 and 26%)
respectively. It also significantly (P˂ 0.05) increased the relative weights of
liver and gizzard being (3.72 and 3.94%) of live body weight respectively
when compared to the control group which were (3.07 and 3.29%)
respectively, while relative weight of abdominal fat decreased numerically
compared to the control, being (3.22 and 3.80%) respectively. Al-Niumi
(1999) used thyme powder (1%) in the male broilers diet and observed
significant improvement in the lipid deposition and carbohydrate content of
the tissue of carcass. Adding different levels 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% of alcoholic
thymus vulgaris extract into drinking water significantly improved (P˂ 0.05)
relative breast weight of broiler chickens compared to the control group,

being (26.75, 25.29, 26.66 and 24.12%) respectively, but did not affect the
relative weights of hot carcass and thighs, while level 0.4% of thyme extract
caused a significant (P˂ 0.05) increase in the relative weight of wings
compared to 0.2%, 0.6% and control groups, being (8.75, 7.96, 7.96 and
7.74%) respectively (Abdulkarimi et al., 2011). Demir et al. (2008) studied
the effect of thyme powder supplements 1g/kg diet on internal organs weight
of broilers and showed that the weights of heart and liver were not affected
by dietary treatments compared to control and antibiotic group. Toghyani et
al. (2010) mentioned that carcass yield, relative weights of abdominal fat,
liver, gizzard, proventriculus and heart was not affected by adding thyme
powder 5 and 10g/kg diet in broilers compared to the antibiotic and control
groups. Sadeghi et al. (2011) used thymus vulgaris 5g/liter through drinking
water and they observed no significant differences in the relative weights of
carcass, liver, heart and abdominal fat pad of broilers. These findings are in
agreement with the results of Rahimi et al. (2011) who found no differences
in the relative weights of carcass, abdominal fat pad, liver, proventriculus,
gizzard and heart of broilers drank water contain 0.1% aqueous thyme
extract compared to the control and antibiotic groups. Also similar results
were observed by Najafi and Torki (2010) who used thyme essential oil
200mg/kg diet. Ocak et al. (2008) reported that adding 0.2% of dry thyme
leaf did not have any effects on the carcass weight and dressing percentage
of broiler chickens, but caused a significant (P˂ 0.05) increase in the
abdominal fat weight compared to the control, being (1.62 and 1.47 g/100g
BW) respectively. Hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, dressing
percentage, abdominal fat percentage, proventriculus, gizzard, liver and
heart weights was not affected by adding thyme essential oil 120mg/kg diet
compared to the control and antibiotic groups (Tekeli et al., 2006).
2.5 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Blood Serum

Parameters
Serum biochemical profiling has been used in several species of
domestic livestock using laboratory procedure to aid the diagnosis of several
diseases and dysfunctions, as they provide reliable results, and may also give
inputs for research studies on nutrition, physiology, and pathology (Bounous
et al., 2000).
Mohamed et al. (2012) found that cholesterol, triglyceride and

glucose levels in the blood serum of broilers was significantly (P˂ 0.05)
reduced by the supplementation of dietary ginger powder at levels 0.1 and
0.2% being (119.30 and 115.89 mg/dl), (108.20 and 107.42 mg/dl) and
(153.56 and 150.21 mg/dl) when compared to the control group which were
(126.40 mg/dl), (116.10 mg/dl) and (164.21 mg/dl) respectively, but did not
affect the total blood protein. Also Saeid et al. (2010) observed similar
results when they added 0.4 and 0.6% of aqueous ginger extract into
drinking water of broilers and noted that (glucose), (cholesterol) and
(triglyceride) reduced significantly (P˂ 0.05) being (272.50 and 259.43
mg/dl), (105.53 and 105.42 mg/dl) and (105.53 and 101.05 mg/dl)
respectively compared to the control group which were (348.53 mg/dl),
(143.70 mg/dl) and (108.32 mg/dl) respectively, while HDL-C , LDL-C and
VLDL-C, the total protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations were not
affected. According to the Al-Homidan (2005), using high level of ginger
6% in broiler diets over 49 days of growth period caused a significant
decrease (P˂ 0.05) in the levels of total protein, albumin and globulin being
(2.85, 1.15 and 1.70g/dl) when compared to the control group which were
(3.65, 1.65 and 2 g/dl) respectively. Cholesterol concentration increased and
glucose level decreased when 6% of ginger powder used in broilers diets,
being (181.2 and 104.1 mg/dl) compared to the control group (106.5 and 134
mg/dl) respectively. While using ginger at level 2% did not affect the total
protein, albumin, cholesterol and glucose levels except globulin level which
increased significantly (P˂ 0.05) compared to the control group, (2.47 and
2.00 g/dl) respectively. Tekeli et al. (2011) did not find any differences in
glucose and triglyceride levels in broilers fed on 240 ppm of ginger powder
compared to the antibiotic and control groups, while cholesterol level
significantly (P˂ 0.05) decreased in groups received 240 ppm of ginger and
control diet compared to the antibiotic group, 118.75, 113.60 and 136.40
mg/dl respectively.
Ademola et al. (2009) used different levels of ginger 1, 1.5 and 2%

in broilers diets and they found a significant (P˂ 0.001) decrease in (the total
cholesterol) and (triglyceride) concentration being, (123.31, 113.12 and
111.61 mg/dl) and (150.67, 125 and 134.63 mg/dl) compared to the control
group which were (143.20 and 207.21 mg/dl) respectively. Toghyani et al.
(2010) reported that adding thyme powder 5 and 10 g/kg diet did not have
any effects on the total protein, albumin, A/G ratio, triglyceride, total
cholesterol and LDL-C in broilers blood serum when compared to antibiotic
and control groups, while HDL-C concentration increased significantly (P˂
0.05) of treatment fed on 10g/kg being (85 mg/dl) compared to the 5g/kg,
antibiotic and control groups which were (69, 74 and 71 mg/dl) respectively.
Similar results were observed by Toghyani et al. (2011) when 5g/kg diet of
thyme powder used and no differences were found in the total protein,
globulin, A/G ratio and triglyceride while serum albumin, total cholesterol
and HDL-C concentration reduced significantly being, 1.8g/dl, 152.7mg/dl
and 87.5mg/dl compared to the control group 1.95g/dl, 165.7mg/dl and
95.20mg/dl.
Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) reported that dietary thyme essential oil

300mg/kg in broilers significantly (P˂ 0.05) lower serum glucose and
cholesterol being (178.4 and 179.8 mg/dl) compared to the control (197.6
and 189.25 mg/dl) respectively. Mansoub and Myandoab (2011) used
different levels of thyme supplementation 0.75, 1, 1.5 and 2% in broilers
diets. They observed that glucose level and HDL-C concentration increased
significantly (P˂ 0.05) of broilers fed 1, 1.5 and 2% thyme supplementation,
which were (189.72, 189.13 and 188.95 mg/dl) and (83.50, 82.84, and 83.34
mg/dl) respectively compared to 0.75% and control group which were
(171.85 and 171.63 mg/dl) and (79.1 and 78.84 mg/dl) respectively, while
triglyceride reduced significantly (P˂ 0.05) of broilers fed 2% thyme powder
compared to the control, being (32.28 and 41.12 mg/dl) respectively. Also
LDL-C concentration decreased (P˂ 0.05) in treatments consumed 1.5 and
2% of thyme compared to the control, (30.08, 29.15 and 32.12 mg/dl)
respectively, but did not affect the total cholesterol, albumin and globulin
concentration. These findings are in agreement with the results of Rahimi et
al. (2011) who found no significant differences in the total cholesterol
concentration compared to the control, while triglyceride reduced
significantly in broilers that drank water containing 0.1% aqueous thymus
vulgaris extract compared to the control, being (32.15 and 44.92 mg/dl)
respectively. LDL-C also decreased and HDL-C increased significantly of
broilers that drank water containing 0.1% aqueous thyme extract being
(28.11 and 51.22 mg/dl) compared to the control (47.03 and 45.56 mg/dl)
respectively. Al–Niumi (1999) used different hypoglycemic medicinal plants
in the male broiler diet including thyme powder 1%, the study showed that
dietary supplementation with thyme powder significantly decreased the
cholesterol and total lipid of blood compared to the other treatments
including control group.
On the other hand, Tekeli et al. (2006) did not find any effect on the
total cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentration when added thyme
essential oil 120mg/kg diet compared to the control and antibiotic groups.
Similar results were observed by Najafi and Torki (2010) who found no
differences in cholesterol and triglyceride concentration of the broiler
chickens fed on diets containing thyme essential oil 200mg/kg.
2.6 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Humoral Immunity

and Lymphoid Organs Weight
Immunological response is influenced by several factors. Among
them, the nutritional condition of the animal subjected to antigenic challenge
has been studied, including the effects of medicinal plants. Arshad et al.
(2012) used different levels of ginger extract in drinking water of broiler and
they observed that adding 50ml/liter of water caused increasing in antibody
titers against IBDV and NDV being (4402 and 5.33) compared to the control
(2628 and 4.5) respectively. Adding thyme essential oil 135mg/kg showed
the highest titers response against NDV (P˂ 0.05) when compared to the
control group, (6.8 and 3.4) respectively (Foroghi et al., 2011). Toghyani et
al. (2010) mentioned that using thyme powder 5 and 10 g/kg diet did not
affect the antibodies titers against NDV, Bursa% and spleen% when
compared to the control and antibiotic groups, which is in agreement with
the finding of Sadeghi et al. (2011) who found no improvement of antibody
titer against NDV, when used thyme powder 5g/liter in drinking water of
male broiler chicks. Also there were no differences between relative weight
of bursa of fabricious and spleen. Similar results were obtained by Toghyani
et al. (2011) when used thyme powder 5g/kg diets and did not find any
significant differences of NDV antibody titers compared to the control.
Rahimi et al. (2011) showed that antibody titers against NDV at 36 and 42
days of age were not affected compared to the control and antibiotic groups
when used 0.1% aqueous thyme extract in drinking water of the broilers.
Also relative weight of spleen and bursa of fabricious were not affected.
Supplementation of ginger powder 0.05 and 0.1% did not have any effect on
the percentage of spleen (El-Deek et al., 2002). Relative weight of bursa of
fabricious and spleen was not affected by dietary thyme essential oil
200mg/kg diet (Najafi and Torki, 2010).
2.7 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Intestinal Microbial

Parameters
Ginger has been shown to be effective against the growth of both
Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including Escherichia Coli,
Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and
Streptococcus viridans (Srivastav and Mustafa, 1989). Further studies
confirm the antibacterial properties of thymol, with demonstrated activity
against Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Es- cherichia coli
and the bacterial species (WHO, 1999). Ground thyme has been shown to
inhibit the growth of S. typhimurium when added to media (Aktug and
Karapinar, 1986). Tekeli et al. (2010) used different levels of ginger and
propolis extract in broilers diets, dietary supplementation of ginger extract
(240 ppm) which significantly (P˂ 0.05) reduced the number of Coliform
bacteria compared to the control group in jejunum digesta of broiler chickens
at 42 days old, being (160*102 and 1500*102 cob/g) respectively. The
essential oil of the thyme has been shown to inhibit the growth of the E. coli
in media (Marino et al., 1999). Also the herb has been reported to have anti-
bacterial activities against a wide range of pathogenic microbial organisms
(Vincent, 2002).
Thyme (extract, oil, and the major components) have shown

antibacterial activity against the Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium
perfringens, Bacillus subtilis, S. sonnei, E. coli, H. pylori, S. typhimurium ,
S. sonnei , Bacillus cereus, L monocytogenes, C. jejuni and S. enteric
reported in previous literatures (Juven et al., 1994; Tabak et al., 1996; Ultee
et al., 2000; Fan and Chen, 2001; Friedman et al., 2002; Nevas et al., 2004;
Thakare, 2004 ). In addition, these phenolic compounds exhibit a
considerable antimicrobial and antifungicidal activities (Basilico and
Basilico, 1999). Thymol is currently used to inhibit oral bacteria (Twetman
and Peterson, 1997). Al-Kassie (2010) noted that using 0.5% thyme powder
in broiler diets showed a significant decrease (P˂ 0.05) in the number of the
total bacteria and Coliform bacteria in jejunum part of broilers at 42 days
old, being (9.00 and 4.81 CFU/gm) compared to the control (9.41 and 5.16
CFU/gm) respectively. The colonies forming unit of E. Coli in digesta of
ileo-cecum showed a significant(P˂ 0.05) lower number compared to the
control group when used antibiotic and 0.1% thyme extract through drinking
water, being (4.42, 4.40 and 7.10 CFU/gm) respectively (Rahimi et al.,
2011). While Tekeli et al. (2006) reported that adding thyme essential oil
120mg/kg diet did not affect the Coliform bacteria groups in jejunum part of
small intestine of broilers compared to the control and antibiotic groups.
Chapter Three Materials and Methods 30
Chapter Three
Materials and Methods

3.1 Selection of Medicinal Plants
Ginger and Thyme powders were bought from local market in

Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
3.2 Birds and Experimental Design
Six-hundred-one-day-old-broiler-chicks (Ross 308) strain were

bought from Amedi hatchery in Sumel District/Duhok city. The chicks were
raising together for 6 days and at 7th day old they were randomly distributed
into 8 treatments with 3 replicates in a treatment of 75 chicks. Each replicate
contained 25 chicks. The birds gave non-pelleted diets and water ad libitum
throughout the period of the study (42 days). The ginger, thyme and
antibiotic powders were added to the diet at 7th day of age. The antibiotic
used in the positive control diet was FOSBAC PLUS T and composed of
(Calcium Fosfomycin 20g, Tylosin Tartrate 5g, Fructose 1,6 Diphosphate
18g, Sodium Phosphate 15g, Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate 10g,
Sodium Chloride q.s. 100g) per each 100g.
Heating was provided by two electrical heaters, where the initial

temperature was set at 32 C ̊ and decreased by 2 C ̊ per week to final
temperature of 24 C ̊ at the end of experiment. Lighting program was
provided for experimental broiler flock according to the Ross manual guide
2009 (Table1).
Feed consumption and individual body weight of birds were

measured weekly. All the birds were vaccinated against Newcastle and
Gumboro diseases (Table 2). Mortality was recorded daily.
The experiment was carried out from May 13, 2012 to June 23, 2012
at poultry house of Animal Production School, Faculty of Agriculture and
Forestry, University of Duhok, Duhok city/ Kurdistan Region / Iraq.
All the diets were formulated to meet nutrient requirements
according to NRC (1994). The chicks were fed starter diet from (1 to 21
days) and a finisher diet from (22 to 42 days). Tables (3 and 5) show the
composition and the chemical composition of the starter and finisher diets
respectively.
The experimental ration were formulate as

1. T1…… Negative Control (No antibiotic) : Reared on Standard Ration
2. T2…… Positive Control (Antibiotic) : Reared on Standard Ration with
Antibiotic (FOSBAC PLUS T) 160 mg per 1 kg of live body weight
3. T3…… 0.5% Ginger Powder in Standard Ration
4. T4…… 1% Ginger Powder in Standard Ration
5. T5…… 0.5% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
6. T6…… 1% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
7. T7…… 0.5% Ginger + 0.5% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
8. T8…… 1% Ginger + 1% Thyme Powder in Standard Ration
Table (1): Lighting Program for Broiler Flock Over 42 Days of Experimental
Period
Age Light Intensity Day Length

(days) (foot candles) (hours)
0-7 3–4 23 light 1 dark
8-38 0.5 – 1 18 light 6 dark
39-42 0.5– 1 23 light 1 dark
*Lighting program was done according to Ross Broiler Manual Guide 2009.
Table (2): Vaccination and Medical Program for Broiler Flock throughout 42
Days of Experimental Period
Age (days) Vaccine and method of Vaccination
1 Sugar solution (8%) through drinking water
2-5 Multi-vitamins (CHOLIVIT)****
Newcastle (B1 strain) through drinking water + Vitamin

7
C***** and Multi-vitamins
Gumboro ( Lokard strain) through drinking water + Vitamin
10
C and Multi-vitamins
Newcastle (Lasota strain) through drinking water + Vitamin C
17
and Multi-vitamins
Gumboro (Moderate strain) through drinking water + Vitamin
20
C and Multi- vitamins
Newcastle (Lasota strain) through drinking water + Vitamin C
30
and Multi-vitamins
(Naji, 2006)
Table (3): Composition of the Experimental Starter Diets Fed to Broilers and their
Chemical Composition
Treatments
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Ingredient %
Yellow corn 34.5 34.5 34 33.5 34 33.5 33.5 32.5
Wheat 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24
Protein concen 40%* 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Soybean meal 48% 30.7 30.7 30.7 30.7 30.7 30.7 30.7 30.7
Sun flower oil 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Limestone (Ca 28%) 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3
Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
DL methionine****** 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Anti-fungul*** 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Vita.&Min. Premix** 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Ginger powder 0 0 0.5 1 0 0 0.5 1
Thyme powder 0 0 0 0 0.5 1 0.5 1
Chemical composition % *******
Crude protein (Det.) 23.22 23.22 23.22 23.22 23.22 23.22 23.22 23.22
ME, kcal/kg (Cal.) 3070 3070 3053 3036 3053 3036 3036 3025
C/P ratio 132.21 132.21 131.48 130.75 131.48 130.75 130.75 130.28
Moisture (Det.) 8.99 8.99 8.99 8.99 8.99 8.99 8.99 8.99
Crude fiber (Det.) 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82
Crude fat (Det.) 5.27 5.27 5.27 5.27 5.27 5.27 5.27 5.27
Ash (Det.) 6.76 6.76 6.76 6.76 6.76 6.76 6.76 6.76
Methionine (Cal.) 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.49
Lysine (Cal.) 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2
Cystine (Cal.) 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36
Methio.+Cyst. (Cal.) 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86
Calcium (Cal.) 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98
Phosphorous (Cal.) 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57
T1 negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5%
thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
******* The chemical composition of the ration (starter and

finisher) was determined by the MPA (Multi Purpose Analysis) machine in
the lab. of VANO GROUP company/South industrial area/Erbil/Iraq.
Table (4): Chemical Composition of Ginger and Thyme Powder Based on

Dry Matter
Ingredients
Ginger Thyme
Chemical composition %
Moisture 9.58 16.80
Dry matter 90.42 83.20
Protein 7.12 8.28
Fat 7.52 6.48
Fiber 3.14 22.27
Ash 5.01 11.40
NFE*** 67.24 32.14
Volatile oils** 0.41 2.63
* Chemical analysis was performed for the ginger and thyme powder in the laboratories
of the College of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Mosul . ** It depended
on the researchers (Al-Jugifi, 2009) in estimating volatile oils in thyme and (Famurewa
et al., 2011) in estimating volatile oils in ginger. *** NFE (nitrogen free extract) was
calculated.
Table (5): Composition of the Experimental Finisher Diets Fed to Broilers and their
Chemical Composition
Treatments
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Ingredient %
Yellow corn 45.8 45.8 45.3 44.8 45.3 44.8 44.8 43.8
Wheat 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
Protein concen 40% 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Soybean meal 48% 27.5 27.5 27.5 27.5 27.5 27.5 27.5 27.5
Sun flower oil 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Limestone (Ca 28%) 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9
Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
DL methionine 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Anti-fungul 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Vita.&Min. Premix 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
Ginger powder 0 0 0.5 1 0 0 0.5 1
Thyme powder 0 0 0 0 0.5 1 0.5 1
Chemical composition %
Crude protein (Det.) 20.47 20.47 20.47 20.47 20.47 20.47 20.47 20.47
ME, kcal/kg (Cal.) 3114 3114 3097 3080 3097 3080 3080 3070
C/P ratio 152.13 152.13 151.30 150.46 151.30 150.46 150.46 149.98
Moisture (Det.) 4.08 4.08 4.08 4.08 4.08 4.08 4.08 4.08
Crude fiber (Det.) 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96
Crude fat (Det.) 6.77 6.77 6.77 6.77 6.77 6.77 6.77 6.77
Ash (Det.) 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1
Methionine (Cal.) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Lysine (Cal.) 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12
Cystine (Cal.) 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34
Methio.+Cyst. (Cal.) 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84
Calcium (Cal.) 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92
Phosphorous (Cal.) 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58
T1 negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5%
thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
3.3 The Performance Traits

3.3.1 Live Body Weight and Weight Gain
Body weight was measured by digital balance for all birds at the
beginning of the experiment, and it was repeated weekly at the beginning of
the week at the same time. Body weight gain was calculated by the equation:
Body weight gain = B.W at the end of week - B.W at the beginning of week.
(Naji, 2006)
3.3.2 Feed Consumption and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

During the 42 days experimental period, growth performance was
evaluated. Feed consumption is the amount of feed consumed every week; it
was calculated for each treatment at weekly basis. At the end of the week,
the residual amount of feed was weighed and subtracted from the known
weight of feed at the beginning of week. The product (consumed feed) was
divided by the total number of birds.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated at the end of experiment
and it is the amount of feed consumed per unit of body weight gain (feed
consumption (g)/ weight gain (g).
Feed consumed (g) during a period
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) =
Weight gain (g) during the same period
(Naji, 2006)
3.3.3 Mortality Rate
Mortality was recorded daily for each replicate and calculated by the
equation:
Total mortality
Mortality rate = × 100
Total number of birds
And the livability percentage was calculated by the equation:

Livability percentage (%) = 100 – mortality rate (%)
(Naji, 2006)
3.3.4 Production Index
The production index was calculated for each replicate at the end of
experiment using the following equation:
Average body weight (g) × livability (%)
Production index =
Number of rearing days × feed conversion ratio × 10
(Naji et al., 2007)

3.4 Carcass Cuts Preparation and Sampling
At the end of experiment, a sample of two randomly selected birds
(male and female) from each replicate within a treatment was slaughtered to
determine the dressing percentage. Before slaughtering, each bird was
weighed and numbered and after that the birds were slaughtered, dressing,
carcass, breast, legs, wings, back, neck, abdominal fat, visceral organs (liver,
heart, gizzard, proventriculus), lymphoid organs index (bursa of fabrecious
and spleen) percentages were then measured as follows:
3.4.1 Dressing Percentage

Dressing percentage was calculated by both methods with and
without edible giblet using following equations:
( ) ( )
Dressing percentage with giblet = × 100
( )
( )
Dressing percentage without giblet = × 100
( )
(Al-Fayadh and Naji, 1989)

3.4.2 Percentages of the Carcass Cuts

Percentage of breast, legs, wings, back, neck, abdominal fat and
visceral organs (liver, heart, gizzard and proventriculus) was calculated by
the equation:
( )
Percentage of the cuts = × 100
( )
(Hidmi, 1994)
3.4.3 Lymphoid Organs Index
The bursa and spleen index was calculated by using the equation
below:
Organ weight (g)
Lymphoid organs index = × 100
Bird live body weight (g)
(Kassim and Shamaun, 2012)

3.5 Collection of Blood Sample
Blood samples were taken on 27, 30 (10 days after vaccination
against Gumboro and Newcastle diseases) and 42 days of age from the wing
vein of 2 birds (male and female) per each replicate. Gel and clot activator
tube glass was used for blood collection. Serum was separated by centrifuge
(speed of rotor was 3000 RPM for 10 minute) and stored at -20 c̊ for later
analysis.
3.5.1 Blood Serum Analysis

The blood serum of 42 days of age was used for serum biochemical
analysis. Cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin and glucose were
determined by using biolabo commercial kits / Maizy, France with
spectrophotometer machine at Physiology Laboratory in the School of
Animal Production. All the results obtained from the spectrophotometer
were calculated as follows:
Abs (Assay)
Result = × Standard concentration
Abs (Standard)
Figure (6) Show spectrophotometer machine that used for analysis of serum
biochemical parameters.
3.5.2 Humoral Immunity Tests

The blood serums of 27 and 30 days of age were used for humoral
immunity test. Antibody titers against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and
Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) were measured by using BioChek
NDV and IBDV test kits with ELISA Reader at the laboratory of Veterinary
Directorate in the Duhok province.
Figure (7) Show ELISA Reader on the left side and ELISA washer on the right
side that used for measuring antibodies titers of NDV and IBDV.
 The following preparation and reagent for the Newcastle Disease Virus
(NDV) and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) antibodies Tests
kits were done:
 Note: the NDV and IBDV have the same test procedure.
Reagents provided:
1. NDV and IBDV coated plates. Inactivated viral antigen on microtitre
plates.
2. Conjugate reagent. Anti-chicken: Alkaline Phosphatase in Tris buffer
with protein stabilizers, inert red dye and sodium azide preservative
(0.1% w/v).
3. Substrate tablets. PNPP (p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate) tablets to dissolve
with substrate buffer.
4. Substrate buffer reagent. Diethanolamine buffer with enzyme co-
factors.
5. Stop solution. Sodium hydroxide in diethanolamine buffer.
6. Sample diluent reagent. Phosphate buffer with protein stabilizers and

sodium azide preservative (0.1% w/v).
7. Wash buffer sachets. Powdered phosphate buffered saline with tween.
8. Negative control. Specific pathogen free serum in phosphate buffer with
protein stabilizers and sodium azide preservative (0.1% w/v).
9. Positive control. Antibodies specific to NDV and IBDV in phosphate
buffer with protein stabilizers and sodium azide preservation (0.1% w/v).
Materials and Equipments Required

1. Precision pipettes and disposable tips.
2. 8 or 12 channel pipette/repeater pipette.
3. Plastic tubes for sample dilution.
4. Distilled or deionised water.
5. Microtitre plate reader with 405 nm filter.
6. Microtitre plate washer.
Reagent Preparation
1. Substrate reagent. To make substrate reagent, add 1 tablet to 5.5 – 6 ml
of substrate buffer and allow to mix until fully dissolved (+/– 10
minutes). The prepared reagent should be made on day of use but will be
stable for one week if kept in dark + 4 C .̊ Drop tablets into clean
container and add appropriate volume of substrate buffer.
Note: do not handle tablets with bare fingers.
2. Wash buffer. Empty the contents of one wash buffer sachet into one liter
of distilled or deionised water and allow to dissolve fully by mixing.
3. All other kit components are ready to use but allow them to come to
room temperature (22 – 27 C ̊ ) before use.
Sample Preparation
 Dilute each test sample 1:500.
 Note: positive and negative kit controls do not require diluting.
Test Procedure
1. Remove NDV and IBDV coated plate from sealed bag and record
location of samples on template.
2. Add 100 μl of negative control into wells A1 and B1.
3. Add 100 μl of positive control into wells C1 and D1.
4. Add 100 μl of diluted samples into the appropriate wells. Cover plate
with lid and incubate at room temperature (22 – 27 C ̊ ) for 30 minutes.
5. Aspirate contents of wells and wash 4 times with wash buffer (350 μl per
well). Invert plate and tap firmly on absorbent paper until no moisture is
visible.
6. Add 100 μl of conjugate reagent into the appropriate wells. Cover plate
7. Repeat wash procedure as in 5.
8. Add 100 μl of substrate reagent into the appropriate wells. Cover plate
9. Add 100 μl of stop solution to appropriate wells to stop reaction.
10. Blank the microtitre plate reader on air and record the absorbance of
controls and the samples by reading at 405 nm.
Results
For the test result to be valid the mean negative control absorbance
should read below 0.3 and the difference between the mean negative control
and the mean positive control should be greater than 0.15.
Note: Variance in lab temperature will lead to lower or higher

absorbance values. Test sample values will be relative to the control values
and the test will still be valid.
The NDV and IBDV positive controls are carefully standardized to

represent significant amounts of antibodies to NDV and IBDV in chicken
serum. The relative amounts of antibodies in chicken samples can then be
calculated by reference to the positive control. This relationship is expressed
as S/P ratio (Sample to Positive Ratio).
Interpretation of Results
Sample with an S/P ratio of 0.35 or greater contain anti – NDV antibodies
and 0.2 or greater contain anti – IBDV antibodies are considered positive.
1. Calculation of S/P ratio for NDV and IBD:
Mean of test sample − Mean of negative control
= S/P
Mean of positive control − Mean of negative control
2. Calculation of antibody titer:
The following equations relate the S/P of a sample at a 1:500 dilution to an
end point titer.
For NDV:
Log 10 Titer = 1.0 * Log (S/P) + 3.52
Antilog = Titer
S/P value Titer range Antibody status
0.349 or less 1158 or less Negative
0.350 or greater 1159 or greater Positive
For IBDV:
Log 10 Titer = 1.1 * Log (S/P) + 3.361
Antilog = Titer
S/P value Titer range Antibody status
0.199 or less 390 or less Negative
0.200 or greater 391 or greater Positive
3.6 Intestinal Microbial Count

The predominant aerobic bacterial flora of the large intestine of
human beings and animals is Enterobacteriaceae family. This family was
classified into two groups based on their action on lactose; lactose
fermenters (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella), Non–lactose fermenters
(Salmonella ,Shigella, proteus).
This method of classification was derived from the use of lactose in

MacConkey medium. MacConkey agar is a culture medium designed to
grow Gram-negative bacteria and differentiate them for lactose fermentation.
It contains bile salts (to inhibit most Gram-positive bacteria), crystal violet
dye (which also inhibits certain Gram-positive bacteria), neutral red dye
(which stains microbes fermenting lactose), lactose and peptone.
Lactose fermenting bacteria: By utilizing the lactose available in the

medium, Lac+ bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Enterobacter and
Klebsiella will produce acid, which lowers the pH of the agar below 6.8 and
results in the appearance of red/pink colonies. The bile salts precipitate in
the immediate neighborhood of the colony, causing the medium surrounding
the colony to become hazy.
Non-Lactose fermenting bacteria: such as Salmonella, Proteus

species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Shigella cannot utilize lactose, and
will use peptone instead. This forms ammonia, which raises the pH of the
agar, and leads to the formation of white/colorless colonies formed in the
plate. But they can also look golden to brown with dark centers. They are
circular colonies and arranged randomly.
3.6.1 Collection of Samples

Piece from jejunum part of small intestine of (6) birds per treatment
was taken and both sides of the jejunum part were closed by using sterilized
thread to prevent contamination of sample contents then put in sterilized
plastic containers.
The contents of jejunum were collected firstly by pressing the outer
wall of jejunum to push its content into clean, sterilized plastic tube. One
gram of jejunum content was weighted and transferred into test tube
containing 9 ml of 0.1 normal saline. The samples were mixed well and
serial dilutions were prepared, and each pool (0.1 ml) was diluted serially
via 10-fold dilutions (from 10-1 to 10-8). Serial dilutions were prepared by
plate dilution methods.
Coliforms bacteria were counted by using Mac Conkey agar medium
that is composed as pancreatic digest of gelatin 17 g, pancreatic digest of
casein 1.5 g, peptic of animal tissue 1.5 g, lactose 10 g, bile salts 1.5 g,
sodium chloride 5 g, neutral red 0.03 g, crystal violet 0.001 g, agar 3.5 g,
and distilled water up to 1 liter (Bridson, 1998) by inoculate a plate with
0.1mL of a 10-3, 10-4, 10-5and 10-6 dilution of each treatment .
3.6.2 Serial Dilution Procedure

At times, the density of the organisms in a sample makes it difficult
to accurately determine the actual number of organisms present. When this
occurs, the sample size may need to be reduced to as little as one millionth
of a milliliter. In order to obtain such small volumes, a technique known as
“serial dilution” has been developed. In a serial dilution, successive
volumes of diluted sample are further diluted until the desired dilution range
is obtained.
The following steps describe a serial dilution procedure:
1. Prepare dilution sterilized plastic tubes by placing sufficient volume of

normal saline in each bottle to have 9 mL.
2. Pipette 1 ml of each treatment into dilution tube no. 1 and gently swirl to
mix.(dilution factor 10-1 ).
3. Pipette 1mL from tube no. 1 into tube no. 2 and gently swirl to mix.
(dilution factor 10-2).
4. Pipette 1 ml from tube no. 2 into tube no. 3 and swirl to mix. (dilution
factor 10-3).
factor 10-4).
factor 10-5).
factor 10-6).
factor 10-7).
factor 10-8).
At this point, the sample has been diluted to such a degree that as
little as 0.00000001 mL of original sample. Additional reductions in sample
size can be accomplished by further dilutions.
3.6.3 Calculation of Bacteria Number
Colony Forming Unit (CFU) is a measure of viable bacterial. The results are
given as CFU/ml (colony-forming units per milliliter) for liquids and CFU/g
(colony-forming units per gram) for solids.
Calculation of the number of bacteria (CFU) per milliliter or gram of sample

is obtained by dividing the number of colonies via the dilution factor.
The CFU/g can be calculated using the following formula:
( ) ( )
CFU/g =
( . )
Figure (8) show the colony counter apparatus that used for counting
bacterial colonies.
3.7 Economic Feasibility

Economic feasibility was calculated by calculating the economic
cost and knowledge fixed and variable costs for the treatments used in the
experiment.
Fixed Costs: They include costs of chicks, drugs, vaccines, water,
electricity, fees work, litter, capital, erosion of building and equipments.
Variable Costs: They include feed cost + medicinal herbs costs.
Total Costs = fixed costs + variable costs.
Total Income = marketing price (IQD) of (1) Kg final live body weight of
broiler chicks × total final live body weight of each treatment.
Net Income (profit) = total income – total costs.
Contribution Ratio of Net Income = × 100
3.8 Statistical Analysis

The experiment executed as a complete randomized design (CRD),
all data analyzed using the CRD (Completely Randomized Design) of (SAS
2002–2003). Duncan`s multiple range tests were used to compare
differences among treatments means (Duncan, 1955).
The statistical model:
Yij = μ + tj + eij
Where:
Yij = represent the observation value which affected by ith treatment (feed
supplement) that found within jth replicate.
μ = general mean of population.
ti = represent the effect of ith treatment .
eij = represent the experimental error.

Chapter Four Results and Discussion 52
Chapter Four
Results and Discussion
4.1 Live Body Weight
Table (6) and appendix (1) show the effect of ginger, thyme, their
mixture and antibiotic on weekly and final live body weight (g) of broiler
chicks. There was no significant difference between body weight at 1 st week
and 2nd week of age. At 3rd week of age there were significant (p<0.05)
differences between treatments and it was found a significant decrease in
live body weight for birds fed on T8 which contains high level of ginger and
thyme mixture (1% ginger + 1% thyme) compared to all treatments except
T1 (negative control) and T6 (1% thyme). In the 4th week of age the
treatments which contain ginger T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger) and T7
(0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) did not differ significantly in live body weight
when compared to T2 positive control (antibiotic) and T1 (negative control)
except T4 which had significant (p<0.05) higher body weight than T1
(negative control). Again, it was observed that the birds fed on diets
contained thyme powder T5 (0.5% thyme) and T6 (1% thyme) had lower
significant body weight compared to the positive control but it did not have
any significant differences compared to the negative control. On the other
hand, it was revealed that chicks in T8 had the lowest body weight than all
the treatments and this lowering continued during 4th, 5th and 6th weeks of
age. At 5th week of age the chicks fed on T7 showed a significant higher live
body weight than those received all other treatments including (positive and
negative control) being 1884.58g/bird, while the treatments which contained
ginger (T3 and T4) had no differences in body weight compared to the T2
positive control (antibiotic) but they significantly differ in live body weight
when compared to the T1 (negative control) which was free from any herb
additive. Regarding the final live body weight (6th week of age), it is noted
that there were significant (p<0.05) differences between treatments and was
getting better live body weight for birds fed on T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5%
thyme) being 2565.34 g/birds which differ significantly to those birds which
fed on T2 positive control (antibiotic), T4 (1% ginger) and T3 (0.5% ginger)
being 2520.18, 2519.17 and 2485.10 g/bird respectively. Concerning the
treatments which contain thyme powder (T5 and T6) and T8 which
contained high dose of herbs mixture, it was shown that there was a
significant decrease in live body weight compared to the T2 positive control
(antibiotic) being 2359.32, 2385.13, 2340.72 and 2520.18 g/bird
respectively, but there were no differences in the live body weight when
compared to the T1 (negative control).
The results are in agreement with the findings of (Moorthy et al.,
2009; Najafi and Torki, 2010; Rahimi et al., 2011; Sadeghi et al., 2011;
Mohamed et al., 2012) who mentioned that adding ginger into the broiler
diet had a positive significant effect on the live body weight of chicks while
adding thyme powder or essential oil into the broiler`s diet or drinking water
did not affect the live body weight. On the other hand, the results of the
present study are in contrast to some of the previous observations that
indicated herbs, especially ginger and their main components, did not affect
live body weight in the broiler chicks (El-Deek et al., 2002; Al-Homidan,
2005; Ademola et al., 2009; Thayalini et al., 2011), while adding thyme
powder or essential oil into the broiler`s diet or drinking water had a
significant positive impact on the live body weight of broiler chickens
according to (Al-Jugifi, 2009; Toghyani et al., 2010; Al-Mashhadani et al.,
2011; Foroughi et al., 2011).
The higher body weight was noted in the broilers fed ginger powder
alone and moderate mixture (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) might be due to
the beneficial effects of these herbs in animal nutrition which includes
improvement of endogenous digestive enzyme secretion, activation of
immune response (figure 14) and antibacterial (figure 16), antiviral,
antioxidant and anthelmintic actions. All these actions cause improvement in
health, growth and performance of broiler (Rahimi et al., 2011). The main
important compounds in Ginger (Zingiber officinale) are gingerol, gingerdiol
and gingerdione which have the ability to stimulate digestive enzymes,
affect the pathogenic microbial flora in the small intestine which compete
the host for nutrients (Dieumou et al., 2009). All these positive effects lead
to increase in production and improve animals health (Bosisio et al., 1992)
when used in broiler diets.
The major components of thyme are thymol and carvacrol
(Aeschbach et al., 1994), both of which have been shown to have the
abilities of increasing body weight when mixed with dry ginger powder
using optimum dose of the two herbs and may increase or double its positive
additive effects on the growth and performance of the broilers. While using
high dose of herbal combination through the experiment (1% ginger + 1%
thyme) had a negative impact on the body in agreement with the explanation
of Toghyani et al. (2010) which mentioned that higher dosage of medicinal
herbs in the diet may have had a negative effect on some beneficial
microbial populations such as lactobacillus, preventing the herb from
exhibiting its positive influence on performance and resulting in a poor body
weight.
Table (6) Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic
on Average Weekly and Final Live Body Weight (g/bird) of Broiler
Chicks (Mean ± Standard Error)
Treatments 1st week 2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week 6th week
129.45a 384.51a 763.35ab 1274.68bcd 1786.55c 2371.36c

T1
±0.64 ±5.72 ±6.16 ±5.84 ±3.98 ±13.21
129.55a 392.03a 787.33a 1306.89ab 1855.92b 2520.18b

T2
±0.75 ±6.17 ±7.92 ±7.43 ±6.54 ±8.91
130.15a 382.47a 785.41a 1291.40abc 1837.65b 2485.10b

T3
±0.35 ±8.58 ±3.38 ±8.13 ±4.94 ±17.41
128.55a 383.07a 779.41a 1317.33a 1851.40b 2519.17b

T4
±0.52 ±11.24 ±8.88 ±4.87 ±5.77 ±14.49
129.39a 379.50a 767.40a 1262.74cd 1763.52cd 2359.32c

T5
±0.87 ±8.36 ±4.75 ±3.44 ±8.22 ±19.50
128.89a 386.52a 756.40ab 1241.71d 1792.03c 2385.13c

T6
±0.98 ±8.96 ±10.09 ±10.62 ±9.24 ±7.63
129.68a 394.13a 783.23a 1302.94ab 1884.58a 2565.34a

T7
±0.17 ±10.29 ±8.43 ±6.77 ±5.26 ±6.09
128.64a 374.94a 733.37b 1204.31e 1739.73d 2340.72c

T8
±0.69 ±9.17 ±2.25 ±11.80 ±7.94 ±21.43
*a, b, c: Means with different superscripts in each column differ

significantly (p<0.05). ** T1 negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control
(antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5% thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger +
0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
4.2 Body Weight Gain

Table (7) and appendix (2) indicate the effect of ginger, thyme, their mixture
and antibiotic on weekly and accumulative body weight gain. There were no
significant differences between the body weight gains of the birds fed on
treatments at 2nd week of age. At 3th and 4th week of age all the treatments
showed a significant positive effect on the weight gain except T8 which
showed a significant decrease in body weight gain being 358.43 and 470.94
g/bird respectively. At 5th week of age the broilers in treatments T7, T6 and
T2 showed a significant (p<0.05) body weight gain being (581.64, 550.32
and 549.02 g/bird) respectively when compared to those which received
negative control (511.87 g/bird) and T5 (500.78 g/bird), while there were no
differences between body weight gain of T4 (1% ginger), T8 (1% ginger +
1% thyme) and T1 (negative control), also T5 (0.5% thyme) showed no
significant increase in weight gain when compared to T1 (negative control),
being 500.78 g and 511.87 g respectively. At 6th week of age, it was noted
that there were no significant differences between the birds fed on T7 which
contain moderate mixture of ginger and thyme (0.5% + 0.5%), T4 (1%
ginger), T3 (0.5% ginger) and those birds which received the treatment
containing (antibiotic) being 680.76, 667.77, 647.45 and 664.26 g/bird
respectively, while these treatments outperformed in body weight gain when
compared to the T1 (negative control) which was 584.82 g/bird. The
treatments which contain thyme powder alone (T5 and T6) and T8 (1%
ginger + 1% thyme) had lower body weight gain than T2 positive control
(antibiotic) being 595.80, 593.10, 600.99 and 664.26 g/bird respectively,
while they did not have any significant differences in weight gain when
compared to the T1 (negative control). It is noted from the table (7) that the
best accumulative body weight gain was got by T7 which contained
moderate mixture of ginger and thyme (0.5% + 0.5%) being (2435.66 g/bird)
which significantly differ from those birds which fed on T4 (1% ginger) and
T2 positive control (antibiotic) being (2390.63 and 2390.62 g/bird)
respectively. Concerning the treatments containing thyme powder alone (T5
and T6) and high levels of combination between thyme and ginger T8 (1%
ginger + 1% thyme), they fell significantly compared to the T2 positive
control (antibiotic) being (2229.93, 2256.24, 2212.08 and 2390.62 g/bird)
respectively, but there were no differences in accumulative body weight gain
when compared to the T1 (negative control) which was free from any
additive.
The results are consistent with those of (Tekeli et al., 2006; Ocak et
al., 2008; Demir et al., 2008; Herawati, 2010; Najafi and Torki, 2010;
Herawati and Marjuk, 2011; Tekeli et al., 2011; Foroughi et al., 2011;
Rahimi et al., 2011; Abdulkarimi et al., 2011; Sadeghi et al., 2011
Mohamed et al., 2012; Arshad et al., 2012) who stated that using ginger
through diet or drinking water in broilers had a significant positive effect on
the body weight gain compared to the control while using thyme through
diet or drinking water did not have any effect on the body weight gain in the
broiler chicken. However, our results are inconsistent to those reported by
(Al-Homidan, 2005; Al-Jugifi, 2009; Ademola et al., 2009; Thayalini et al.,
2011; Kehinde et al., 2011; Al-Mashhadani et al., 2011; Mansoub and
Myandoab, 2011) who reported that dietary supplementation of broiler with
ginger had no significant or negative effect on the body weight gain of
broilers while using thyme powder or essential oil through diet or drinking
water had a positive significant effect on the broiler`s body weight gain.
The improving of body weight gain in broiler chicks fed on ginger
and moderate mixture of medicinal herbs (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) may
be due to the active components that are present in the ginger and thyme
which improve feed digestion and stimulate its enzymes and thus lead to
increase of body weight gain. On the other hand, Tekeli et al. (2011)
reported that ginger (Z. officinale) supplemented in the diet lead to stimulate
lactic acid bacteria and significantly decreases pathogenic bacteria such as
total mesophilic aerobic, coliform and E. coli, and thus causes increase in the
absorption of nutrients which lead to more usage of these nutrients that
already goes to the pathogenic bacteria and finally it will improve weight
gain of the bird. Improvement in body weight gain may be also due to active
materials (Thymol and carvacrol) that are present in the thyme when used
with a moderate dose of ginger powder and they are considered as digestion
stimulating factors, in addition to their antimicrobial activity against
pathogenic bacteria found in the intestine resulting in enhanced growth.
Using moderate combination of ginger and thyme may lead to a doubling of
their positive effects and ultimately will lead to increase growth and
performance of the broiler.
Table (7) Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic on
Average Weekly and Accumulative Body Weight Gain (g/bird) of Broiler
Accumulative
Treatments 2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week 6th week
2-6 weeks
255.05a 378.84abc 511.33ab 511.87cd 584.82c 2241.91ed

T1
±6.93 ±5.37 ±5.01 ±3.08 ±12.07 ±11.55
262.48a 395.30ab 519.56ab 549.03ab 664.26ab 2390.62b

T2
±5.32 ±6.77 ±6.06 ±6.12 ±9.70 ±10.16
252.32a 402.94a 505.99ab 546.25b 647.45abc 2354.95c

T3
±8.49 ±3.74 ±8.78 ±5.31 ±18.53 ±13.40
254.52a 396.34ab 537.92a 534.07bcd 667.77a 2390.63b

T4
±10.27 ±7.99 ±4.27 ±6.80 ±14.03 ±8.53
250.11a 387.90abc 495.34bc 500.78d 595.80c 2229.93ed

T5
±6.36 ±5.66 ±3.46 ±7.66 ±20.67 ±6.28
257.63a 369.88bc 485.31bc 550.32ab 593.10c 2256.24d

T6
±9.83 ±9.32 ±11.61 ±11.63 ±7.28 ±14.49
264.45a 389.10ab 519.71ab 581.64a 680.76a 2435.66a

T7
±9.48 ±8.76 ±7.16 ±8.76 ±5.08 ±10.13
246.30a 358.43c 470.94c 535.42bc 600.99bc 2212.08e

T8
±8.88 ±4.39 ±10.28 ±9.26 ±21.17 ±11.43

(antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5% thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5%
thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
4.3 Feed Consumption

Table (8) and appendix (3) clarify the effect of ginger, thyme, their
mixture and antibiotic on weekly and accumulative feed consumption of
broiler chickens. There were no significant differences in the feed
consumption of broilers between all the experimental groups during 2nd, 4th,
5th, 6th weeks of age and accumulation feed consumption except 3rd week
which observed that the broilers in T7 had a significant lower feed
consumption than T1 (negative control), except that there were no
significant differences between the treatments.
The results are in agreement with the findings of (El-Deek et al.,
2002; Al-Homidan, 2005; Tekeli et al., 2006; Demir et al., 2008; Moorthy et
al., 2009; Ademola et al., 2009; Najafi and Torki, 2010; Toghyani et al.,
2010; Kehinde et al., 2011; Abdulkarimi et al., 2011; Al-Mashhadani et al.,
2011; Mansoub and Myandoab, 2011; Foroughi et al., 2011; Rahimi et al.,
2011) who concluded that dietary supplementation of broilers diets with
ginger and thyme did not affect the feed consumption compared to the
control group. In contrast, the results are in disagreement with the findings
of (Al-Jugifi, 2009; Tekeli et al., 2011; Herawati and Marjuk, 2011;
Mohamed et al., 2012; Arshad et al., 2012) who noted that using ginger and
thyme powders in the broiler`s diets had a significant positive effect on
appetite and feed consumption of broiler chicks.
The reason for the lack of significant differences in feed
consumption for the broiler chicks during the whole period of experiment
may be due to absence of elements or components in each of ginger and
thyme that affect on the bird appetite and then feed consumption.
Table (8) Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic on
Average Weekly and Accumulative Feed Consumption (g/bird) of Broiler
Accumulative
2-6 weeks
421.00a 767.00a 1044.50a 1148.10a 1415.30a 4795.90a

T1
±7.04 ±16.80 ±24.36 ±11.66 ±20.32 ±11.72
437.30a 761.40ab 1037.70a 1166.40a 1395.30a 4798.10a

T2
±9.87 ±17.32 ±23.09 ±9.53 ±12.12 ±10.62
420.90a 744.80ab 1032.60a 1176.40a 1410.10a 4784.80a

T3
±8.55 ±18.48 ±11.55 ±15.94 ±5.43 ±19.46
412.80a 754.70ab 1045.40a 1154.50a 1382.10a 4749.50a

T4
±10.05 ±14.43 ±20.21 ±19.05 ±29.33 ±23.36
404.40a 738.90ab 1061.30a 1152.70a 1373.40a 4730.70a

T5
±13.51 ±21.94 ±15.59 ±23.09 ±25.75 ±20.65
423.60a 709.80ab 1047.10a 1198.90a 1401.30a 4780.70a

T6
±11.95 ±12.70 ±9.82 ±9.99 ±12.88 ±35.21
418.40a 707.70b 1028.80a 1162.90a 1413.90a 4731.70a

T7
±11.49 ±15.59 ±24.25 ±14.72 ±4.33 ±26.05
412.60a 720.50ab 1082.60a 1172.10a 1360.20a 4748.00a

T8
±10.10 ±19.05 ±10.97 ±19.63 ±25.98 ±28.52

4.4 Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

Table (9) and appendix (4) show the effect of ginger, thyme, their
mixture and antibiotic on weekly and accumulative feed conversion ratio of
broiler chickens. At 2nd week of age, there was no significant difference in
feed conversion ratio between all the treatments. It was noted that feed
conversion ratio during 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th weeks of experiment in the
treatments which received thyme powder T5 (0.5% thyme), T6 (1% thyme)
and T8 containing high level of mixture (1% ginger + 1% thyme) did not
have any significant differences when compared to the T1 (negative control)
group except the period of 4th week which showed a significant decline in
feed conversion ratio of T8 as compared to the negative control T1, while
the differences were very clear and reached significant decline level in 6th
week when the above treatments (T5, T6 and T8) compared with T2 positive
control (antibiotic) being 2.31, 2.36, 2.26 and 2.10 respectively. As for the
treatments which contain only ginger powder and moderate mixture of
herbs, it was noted that the treatments T4 (1% ginger), T3 (0.5% ginger) and
T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) did not differ significantly with those
received T2 (antibiotic) during 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th weeks and accumulative FCR.
Moreover, it was noted that T3 (0.5% ginger) and T4 (1% ginger) were
outperformed in the feed conversion ratio during most of weeks when
compared to T1 (negative control) which was free from any additive
although this outperformed was numerically but not statistically except in 6th
week of age when T3 and T4 statistically outperformed than T1 being 2.18,
2.07 and 2.42 respectively. On the other hand, it was noted that feed
conversion ratio in T7 containing moderate mixture of herbs (0.5% ginger +
0.5% thyme) produced birds with best feed efficiency during the whole
period of experiment (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th weeks) being 1.58, 1.82, 1.98,
2.00 and 2.08 respectively. Regarding the accumulative feed conversion

ratio, it was noted that the treatments which contained ginger powder alone
(T3 and T4), thyme powder alone (T5 and T6) and the combination between
two herbs with moderate mixture (T7), significantly did not differ in the
accumulative feed conversion ratio compared to the treatment which
contained antibiotic (T2), although the treatments contained ginger alone
(T3 and T4) and those which contained moderate mixture of two herbs (T7)
numerically gave better FCR than those which contained thyme powder
alone (T5 and T6). On the other hand, it is note that T4 and T7 were the best
in feed conversion ratio and significantly differ than the negative control
(T1) and T8 which contain high level of herbs mixture (1% ginger + 1%
thyme) being (1.94, 1.99, 2.14 and 2.15) respectively.
These results agree with the previous results obtained by (Herawati
and Marjuk, 2011; Mohamed et al., 2012) who found that using dietary
supplementation of ginger alone in broilers had a significant positive effect
on the feed conversion ratio compared to the control. Again, these findings
are consistent with those of (Tekeli et al., 2006; Demir et al., 2008; Ocak et
al., 2008; Najafi and Torki, 2010; Abdulkarimi et al., 2011; Rahimi et al.,
2011; Sadeghi et al., 2011) who did not observe any significant
improvements in the feed conversion ratio of broilers fed on diet or drank
water containing thyme alone compared to the control group.
On the other hand, the results are in disagreement with the findings
of (El-Deek et al., 2002; Moorthy et al., 2009; Ademola et al., 2009;
Thayalini et al., 2011; Kehinde et al., 2011; Tekeli et al., 2011) who did not
observe any significant improvements in the feed conversion ratio of broilers
fed on diet containing ginger powder alone compared to the control group.
Concerning the thyme powder, the results are in disagreement with the
findings of (Al-Jugifi, 2009; Al-Mashhadani et al., 2011; Foroughi et al.,
2011) who found that using dietary supplementation of thyme in broilers had
a significant positive effect on the feed conversion ratio compared to the
control.
There were no scientific researches about using combination of
ginger and thyme in the field of nutrition of broilers but we believe that the
improvement which happened in feed conversion ratio of broiler chicks
received T7 is due to the additive effect of the two herbs (ginger and thyme)
when mixed together in a moderate percentage and the active components
that are present in these herbs which affect the harmful bacteria (figure 16)
that causes growth depression and thus increases the usage of the nutrients
that go to the growth of the birds and improve feed conversion efficiency.
Also these active components relieve the host animal from immune defense
stress during critical situations, increase the intestinal availability of
essential nutrients for absorption and, thus, help animals to grow better
within the framework of their genetic potential (Windisch et al., 2008).
Ginger has been found to enhance pancreatic lipase activity (Platel and
Srinivasan, 2000), intestinal lipase, disaccharidase, sucrase and maltase
activities of rats (Platel and Srinivasan, 1996). All these have favorable
effects on gut function, which is the primary mode of action for growth
promoting feed additives. Volatile oil from thyme (Thymus vulgaris) was
assessed for antibacterial and antiviral activity as inhibitors of microbial
growth (Dorman and Deans, 2000). Intestinal harmful bacteria has a
negative effect on bile salts secretion (Freigher and Dashkevicz, 1988) so
lowering microbial growth may be due to higher synthesis or secretion of
bile salts from liver. This phenomenon possibly leads to increase the fatty
acids availability and, hence, performance improvement.
Conversely, it was noted that raising the usage of ginger and thyme
to 1% for each one in the broiler diet will lead to significant decline in feed
conversion efficiency; so, we believe that the subject needs more

investigation to evaluate the right quantity (dose) of these herbs alone or in
combination that should be used in the broiler`s diet to get the best
performance and growth rate.
Table (9) Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic
on Average Weekly and Accumulative Feed Conversion Ratio of Broiler
Accumulative
2-6 weeks
1.65a 2.02a 2.04bc 2.24ab 2.42a 2.14a

T1
±0.075 ±0.088 ±0.052 ±0.043 ±0.023 ±0.032
1.67a 1.93abc 2.00bc 2.12bc 2.10c 2.01bc

T2
±0.049 ±0.049 ±0.031 ±0.054 ±0.046 ±0.020
1.67a 1.85bc 2.04bc 2.15abc 2.18bc 2.03abc

T3
±0.031 ±0.043 ±0.064 ±0.057 ±0.049 ±0.035
1.62a 1.90abc 1.94c 2.16abc 2.07c 1.99c

T4
±0.072 ±0.061 ±0.020 ±0.060 ±0.063 ±0.020
1.62a 1.90abc 2.14ab 2.30a 2.31ab 2.12ab

T5
±0.015 ±0.043 ±0.055 ±0.069 ±0.042 ±0.057
1.64a 1.92abc 2.16ab 2.18ab 2.36ab 2.11ab

T6
±0.032 ±0.023 ±0.034 ±0.051 ±0.055 ±0.038
1.58a 1.82c 1.98bc 2.00c 2.08c 1.94c

T7
±0.078 ±0.052 ±0.040 ±0.034 ±0.044 ±0.032
1.68a 2.01ab 2.30a 2.19ab 2.26abc 2.15a

T8
±0.009 ±0.035 ±0.006 ±0.017 ±0.037 ±0.043

4.5 Mortality Rate

Figure (9) and appendix (5) reveal the effects of ginger, thyme, their
mixture and antibiotic on mortality rate of broiler chicks over 42 days of the
experimental period. Mortality rate was high for the negative control (T1)
which was free from any herbal additive and T5 which contained 0.5% of
thyme powder being (9.33 and 8.00 %) respectively. While there were no
significant differences in the mortality rate between the treatments which
contained ginger powder (T3 and T4), thyme powder (T6) and their mixture
(T7 and T8) compared to the positive control (T2) which contained
antibiotic although there was a relatively high proportion of mortality rate
for the treatments contained high level (dose) of ginger alone (T4) or in
combination (T8). The broiler chicks which fed on ginger, thyme or their
combination except (T5) had a significant lower mortality rate than the
broilers which fed on negative control (T1).
These findings are in agreement with the previous researches of (Al-
Hamadani et al., 2010, Rahimi et al., 2011) who showed that ginger powder
in broilers diet and thyme extract in drinking water of broilers significantly
decreased mortality rate compared to the control group. While these findings
are contrary to those of (Ocak et al., 2008; Thayalini et al., 2011; Foroughi
et al., 2011; Zomrawi et al., 2012) who did not observe any difference in
mortality rate between the treatments and the control group when they added
ginger and thyme powders into the broilers diets.
The positive effect of low level of ginger, high dose of thyme and
the moderate combination between these herbs on the mortality rate may be
due to decrease in the number of harmful bacteria in the gut which causes
many diseases and finally it leads to the death of birds. While using high
dose of ginger (1%) or the combination (1% ginger + 1% thyme) may
increase mortality rate because it contains spices which have been

implicated as a cause of gastrointestinal mucosal injury (Al-Homidan, 2005).
According to Herawati (2010), the broilers which fed on diet containing high
dose of red ginger showed oedema, necrosis, congestion and inflammation
in muscles, liver, kidney and proventriculus and may lead to death of birds.
4.6 Production Index
Figure (10) and appendix (5) clarifies the effects of ginger, thyme,
their mixture and antibiotic on production index of broiler chicks during 42
days. The treatments had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the production
index at 42 days of age. The chicks in T7 (310.36) were the best in
production index compared to the other treatments including negative and
positive control. T2 positive control (295.02), T3 (287.44) and T4 (289.86)
showed significant (P < 0.05) higher production index compared to the
negative control (239.25), T5 (243.74), T8 (249.32) and T6 (260.98). There
was a significant difference in production index between T6 (260.98) from
one side and T1 (239.25) and T5 (243.74) from other side, but there was no
difference between T6 and T8. In general, T1 (239.25), T5 (243.74) and T8
(249.32) showed lower production index than the other treatments.
The results are in agreement with the findings of (Al-Jugifi, 2009;
Al-Hamadani et al., 2010) who reported that production index significantly
was improved by adding ginger and thyme powder into the broiler diet.
This improvement of production index is due to overall
improvement in body weight, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate of
broilers.
Mortality %
10.00
a
9.00
ab
8.00
7.00
6.00
5.00
bc bc
4.00
3.00 c
2.00
c c c
1.00
0.00
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Mortality % 9.33 1.33 1.33 4.00 8.00 2.67 1.33 4.00
Figure (9) Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic
on Mortality Rate of Broiler Chicks Over 42 Day of Experimental Period,
Different Letters Above Each Column Indicate Significant Difference
Between Means (P < 0.05). * T1 negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control
Production Index
350.00
a
b b
300.00 b
c
d cd
250.00 d
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Production Index 239.25 295.02 287.44 289.86 243.74 260.98 310.36 249.32
on Production Index of Broiler Chicks Over 42 Day of Experimental Period,
Different Letters Above Each Column Indicate Significant Difference
Between Means (P < 0.05).* T1 negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control
4.7 Carcass Cuts and Dressing Percentage
Table (10), and appendices (6) and (7) show the effects of ginger,
thyme, their mixture and antibiotic on carcass cuts percentages and dressing
percentage with and without giblet of broiler chickens. There were no
significant differences between treatments in carcass weight, carcass cuts,
dressing percentage without giblet, dressing percentage with giblet. While the
percentage of abdominal fat in T7 group (1.50%) was significantly (p<0.05)
higher than those birds in T4 (1.13%) group but there were no significant
differences in abdominal fat percentage between all the treatments on one
hand and (negative and positive) controls on the other hand.
Results of the present study are in agreement with those of (El-Deek

et al., 2002; Tekeli et al., 2006; Ocak et al., 2008; Moorthy et al., 2009;
Ademola et al., 2009; Najafi and Torki, 2010; Tekeli et al., 2011;
Abdulkarimi et al., 2011; Sadeghi et al., 2011; Rahimi et al., 2011) who did
not observe any improvement of carcass cuts and dressing percentage when
they used ginger and thyme in broiler diet or drinking water. In contrast, the
findings of this study are not consistent with those of (Toghyani et al., 2010;
Herawati and Marjuki, 2011; Mansoub and Myandoab, 2011).
The broilers in T4 numerically recorded the lowest percentage of fat

compared to all the treatments and this lowering may be due to low
cholesterol and triglyceride in blood serum as shown in figure (12).
Table (10) Effect of Ginger, Thyme, their Mixture and Antibiotic on Carcass Cuts
Percentage and Dressing Percentage with and without Giblet of Broiler Chicks at 42
Days of Age (Mean ± Standard Error)
Treatments T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Live body wt 2561.7a 2670.0a 2636.7a 2631.7a 2566.7a 2591.7a 2688.3a 2516.7a
(g) ±76.81 ±48.83 ±58.97 ±66.58 ±83.42 ±86.43 ±74.85 ±83.04
Carcass wt 1888.3a 1927.8a 1913.4a 1965.5a 1872.9a 1884.2a 1962.2a 1845.4a

(g) ±47.98 ±39.71 ±44.85 ±45.90 ±68.45 ±62.07 ±51.22 ±66.75
Dressing (%) 73.86a 72.26a 72.83a 74.74a 72.88a 72.72a 73.03a 73.27a
without giblet ±0.82 ±1.04 ±1.95 ±0.38 ±0.74 ±0.27 ±0.32 ±0.67
Dressing (%) 78.97a 77.65a 78.20a 79.51a 78.31a 78.15a 78.63a 78.39a
with giblet ±0.85 ±1.14 ±2.07 ±0.36 ±0.64 ±0.35 ±0.36 ±0.61
35.61a 35.40a 35.37a 36.92a 35.58a 36.20a 35.78a 36.15a

Breast (%)
±0.63 ±0.23 ±0.48 ±0.54 ±0.20 ±0.15 ±0.26 ±0.18
27.66a 26.69a 26.82a 26.94a 26.03a 26.70a 26.54a 26.63a

Legs (%)
±0.36 ±0.40 ±0.48 ±0.57 ±0.55 ±0.31 ±0.39 ±0.45
10.90a 10.34a 10.99a 10.80a 11.28a 10.36a 10.61a 10.18a

Wings (%)
±0.54 ±0.24 ±0.49 ±0.27 ±0.44 ±0.18 ±0.17 ±0.25
19.73ab 21.30a 20.29ab 19.11b 20.52ab 19.93ab 19.81ab 20.10ab

Back (%)
±0.43 ±0.10 ±0.45 ±0.19 ±0.76 ±0.78 ±0.56 ±0.71
4.84a 4.82a 5.11a 5.10a 5.25a 5.33a 5.76a 5.63a

Neck (%)
±0.10 ±0.06 ±0.55 0.31 ±0.34 ±0.16 ±0.21 ±0.11
Abdominal 1.26ab 1.45ab 1.42ab 1.13b 1.34ab 1.48ab 1.50a 1.31ab

Fat (%) ±0.12 ±0.04 ±0.05 ±0.09 ±0.07 ±0.16 ±0.10 ±0.06
* a, b, c : Means with different superscripts in each row differ significantly (p<0.05).

** T1 negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5
(0.5% thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
4.8 Visceral organs percentages

Table (11) and appendix (7) reveal the effect of ginger, thyme, their
mixture and antibiotic on visceral organs percentage of broiler chicks at 42
days of age. There were no significant differences in the percentages of
heart, liver and proventriculus in all the treated groups compared to the
negative and positive control groups. About the gizzard percentage, there
were no significant differences between all the treatments when compared to
negative and positive control groups except the chicks in T4 group which
showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in the percentage of gizzard compared
to T2 being (1.94 and 2.36 %) respectively.
These results agree with those of (El-Deek et al., 2002; Tekeli et al.,
2006; Demir et al., 2008; Moorthy et al., 2009; Najafi and Torki, 2010;
Toghyani et al., 2010; Sadeghi et al., 2011; Rahimi et al., 2011) who did not
find any significant differences in the relative weights of visceral organs of
broilers fed on diet or drank water containing ginger and thyme. In contrast,
the results are contrary to those done by (Tekeli et al., 2011; Mansoub and
Myandoab, 2011) who concluded that thyme and ginger dietary
supplementations had significant effects on the visceral organs of broiler
chickens.
Table (11) Effect of Ginger, Thyme, their Mixture and Antibiotic on

Visceral Organs Percentage of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age (Mean ±
Standard Error)
Liver Heart Gizzard Proventriculus

Treatments
(%) (%) (%) (%)
2.94a 0.79a 2.07ab 0.46a

T1
±0.043 ±0.053 ±0.084 ±0.021
2.92a 0.78a 2.36a 0.50a

T2
±0.098 ±0.024 ±0.111 ±0.025
3.14a 0.77a 2.08ab 0.51a

T3
±0.139 ±0.023 ±0.065 ±0.032
2.79a 0.70a 1.94b 0.46a

T4
±0.172 ±0.034 ±0.061 ±0.018
3.17a 0.80a 2.11ab 0.50a

T5
±0.157 ±0.037 ±0.141 ±0.038
3.00a 0.73a 2.24ab 0.52a

T6
±0.045 ±0.038 ±0.061 ±0.017
3.05a 0.78a 2.17ab 0.46a

T7
±0.025 ±0.042 ±0.100 ±0.023
2.87a 0.81a 2.05ab 0.51a

T8
±0.113 ±0.052 ±0.122 ±0.024
* a, b, c : Means with different superscripts in each column differ

(antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5% thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger +
0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
4.9 Biochemical Blood Serum Parameters

4.9.1 The Blood Serum Proteins (Total Protein and Albumin)
Figure (11) and appendix (9) show the effect of ginger, thyme, their
mixture and antibiotic on the blood serum proteins of broiler chicks. There
were no significant differences in total protein concentration of serum
between the birds fed on treatments containing ginger T3, T4 (0.5 and 1%)
and moderate mixture of the two herbs T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) as
compared to T2 (positive control) containing antibiotic being (3.84, 3.93,
3.93 and 3.83 g/dl) respectively, while these treatments were significantly (P
< 0.05) outperformed when compared to the T1 (negative control) and the
treatments containing thyme (T5, T6 and T8) being (2.97, 3.11, 3.56 and
3.52 g/dl) respectively. Concerning the treatments containing thyme powder
T6 and high level of herbs mixture (T8), they were significantly (P < 0.05)
better in the total protein concentration when compared to T1 (negative
control) but they still lower than T2 (positive control) which contains
antibiotic. About the concentration of albumin, there were no significant
differences between all the treatments on the one hand and T2 positive
control (antibiotic) on the other hand, whereas there was a significant (P <
0.05) improvement in the albumin concentration of the broiler chicks
received T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger) and T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5%
thyme) compared to the T1 (negative control) group being (1.72, 1.73, 1.70
and 1.41 g/dl) respectively, while there were no significant differences
between the treatments containing thyme powder (T5, T6 and T8) and T1
(negative control). It has been shown that treatments which contain ginger
powder (T3 and T4) significantly outperformed in the levels of total protein
and albumin in the serum of broilers compared to the treatments which
contain thyme powder (T5 and T6).
The results are in disagreement with the findings of (Saeid et al.,

2010; Toghyani et al., 2010; Toghyani et al., 2011; Mansoub and
Myandoab, 2011; Mohamed et al., 2012) who used ginger and thyme in the
broiler`s diet or drinking water and did not find any effect on the serum
blood proteins. Furthermore using high dose of ginger powder in broilers
diet had a negative significant effect on the serum blood proteins according
to (Al-Homidan, 2005).
The positive effect of ginger (T3 and T4) and the moderate
combination of herbs T7 (ginger + thyme) on the serum blood proteins may
be due to the effect of ginger which contains a high level of plant proteolytic
enzymes (Thompson et al., 1973; Ziauddin et al., 1995; Naveena et al.,
2004) that could help birds to digestion dietary protein upon ingestion.
Reduction of protein oxidation in the liver of rats fed on a diet containing
ginger was also reported by Kota et al. (2008).
Blood Serum Proteins

4 a a a a
b b
3.5
c
c
3
2.5
2
ab a a ab
abc abc
c bc
1.5
0.5
0
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Total protein g/dl 2.97 3.83 3.84 3.93 3.11 3.56 3.93 3.52
Albumin g/dl 1.41 1.69 1.72 1.73 1.58 1.44 1.70 1.57
on Blood Serum Proteins (Total Protein and Albumin) of Broiler Chicks
Over 42 Day of Experimental Period, Different Letters Above Each Column
Indicate Significant Difference Between Means (P < 0.05). * T1 negative control
(without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5% thyme),
T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
4.9.2 The Blood Serum Lipids (Cholesterol and Triglyceride)
Figure (12) and appendix (9) reveal the effect of ginger, thyme, their
mixture and antibiotic on the blood serum lipids of broiler chicks. Regarding
the cholesterol concentration, all the treatments which contained ginger and
thyme alone or in combination (T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8) significantly (P
< 0.05) lowered the concentration of cholesterol in the blood serum of
broiler chicks compared to the T1 (negative control). Also it was noted
that T3 (0.5% ginger) and T4 (1% ginger) significantly (P < 0.05) lowered
the concentration of cholesterol when compared to T2 positive control
(antibiotic) being (130.87, 128.84 and 143.18 mg/dl) respectively, but there
were no significant differences in the cholesterol level of the treatments
which contained thyme powder (T5 and T6) compared to T2 positive control
(antibiotic). On the other hand, the treatments which contained ginger (T3
and T4) significantly (P < 0.05) differed from the treatments contained
thyme (T5 and T6) being (130.87, 128.84, 141.04 and 139.86 mg/dl)
respectively. While no significant effect was observed for cholesterol level
in the birds fed on T2 (antibiotic) when compared to the T1 (negative
control). Concerning the triglyceride concentration, it was noted from the
chart that T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T6 (1% thyme) and T7 (0.5%
ginger + 0.5% thyme) significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the level of
triglyceride (P < 0.05) in the blood serum of broiler chicks compared to the
negative and positive controls (T1 and T2) being (103.63, 97.54, 99.65,
105.03, 124.78 and 118.60 mg/dl) respectively. While the effect was more
clear in the treatments which contained high levels of ginger or thyme (T4
and T6) being (97.54 and 99.65mg/dl) respectively compared to the negative
and positive control groups (T1 and T2) being (124.78 and 118.60 mg/dl)
respectively.
Regarding the cholesterol concentration, the results are in agreement

with the studies of (Ademola et al., 2009; Saeid et al., 2010; Tekeli et al.,
2011; Toghyani et al., 2011; Al-Mashhadani et al., 2011; Mohamed et al.,
2012) who used ginger and thyme through diet and drinking water and they
found that there was significant decrease in the cholesterol concentration
compared with the control group. While the results are in disagreement with
the findings of (Al-Homidan, 2005; Tekeli et al., 2006; Najafi and Torki,
2010; Toghyani et al., 2010; Mansoub and Myandoab, 2011; Rahimi et al.,
2011) who did not observe any difference in the cholesterol concentration of
broilers fed on dietary supplementation with ginger and thyme compared to
the control group.
Our results about triglyceride are against those of Tekeli et al.

(2011) who did not find any difference in the triglyceride level of broilers
fed on 240 ppm of ginger powder compared to control group. While the
results reported here agree with the observations of (Ademola et al., 2009;
Saeid et al., 2010; Mohamed et al., 2012) who concluded that using ginger
powder through diet or drinking water significantly decreased triglyceride
concentration. The results are also in agreement with the findings of
(Mansoub and Myandoab, 2011; Rahimi et al., 2011) who used thyme
through diet and drinking water in the broilers and they observed that the
concentration of triglyceride significantly decreased compared to the control
group.
The positive effect of ginger and thyme on the concentration of

cholesterol may be due to the effects of active compounds present in these
two plants. The supplementation of ginger reduced cholesterol levels in
blood serum because of its antioxidative action which also a mechanism
could be used as anti-stress approach (Jang et al., 2007). The hypo-
cholesterolemic action may be accomplished by ginger acting as a potential

inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis (Saeid et al., 2010). Srinivasan and
Sambaiah (1991) also reported that feeding rats with ginger significantly
elevated the activity of hepatic cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase which is a
rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of the bile acids and stimulates the
conversion of cholesterol to bile acids leading to the reduction of cholesterol
from the body. On the other hand, Lee et al. (2003) observed that the
reduction of cholesterol by thyme in broiler chicks was attributed to the
lowering effect of thymol or carvacrol on HMG-Co A reductase ( 3-
hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase) the rate limiting enzyme of
cholesterol synthesis.
Blood Serum Lipids
160.00
a ab bc bc c
140.00 d d
d
a
a
120.00
ab abc
cd bcd
d d
100.00
80.00
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Cholesterol mg/dl 146.60 143.18 130.87 128.84 141.04 139.86 136.87 132.26
Triglyceride mg/dl 124.78 118.60 103.63 97.54 115.09 99.65 105.03 113.92
on Blood Serum Lipids (Cholesterol and Triglyceride) of Broiler Chicks
Over 42 Day of Experimental Period, Different Letters Above Each Column
Indicate Significant Difference Between Means (P < 0.05). * T1 negative control
(without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5% thyme),
T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
4.9.3 The Blood Serum Glucose
mixture and antibiotic on the blood serum glucose of broiler chickens. All
the treatments significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the glucose level of blood
serum of broiler chicks compared to the T1 (negative control) but when they
compared to the T2 (antibiotic) group, there was a significant (P < 0.05)
increase in the glucose level except T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) which
did not differ from the T2 positive control (antibiotic) being (271.92 and
260.81 mg/dl).
These findings are similar to those of (Al-Homidan, 2005; Saeid et
al., 2010; Al-Mashhadani et al., 2011; Mohamed et al., 2012) who
mentioned that using ginger and thyme in the broiler`s diet or drinking water
significantly lowered glucose level in the blood serum. While these results
disagreed with the works of (Mansoub and Myandoab, 2011) who used
different levels of thyme supplementation in broilers diets and they observed
a significant increase in the glucose level compared to the control group.
Also our results were in opposite of the findings of (Tekeli et al., 2006;
Tekeli et al., 2011) who used ginger and thyme supplementation in broilers
diets and they did not observe any significant effect on the glucose level
compared to the control group.
The inorganic part of a medicinal plant contains mainly mineral
elements, which are responsible for the hypoglycemic activity (Kar et al.,
1999). Also according to Castro (1998), a number of essential minerals (Ca,
Zn, K, Mn and Cr) are known to be associated with the mechanisms of
insulin release and its activity in different animals and in human beings.
Blood Serum Glucose

400.00
a
350.00
b bc bc
300.00 cd bcd
de
e
250.00
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Glucose mg/dl 364.19 260.81 303.27 299.30 299.01 282.34 271.92 285.91
on Blood Serum Glucose of Broiler Chicks Over 42 Day of Experimental
Period, Different Letters Above Each Column Indicate Significant Difference
4.10 Humoral Immunity and Lymphoid Organs

4.10.1 Humoral Immunity (Newcastle and Infectious Bursal
Diseases Viruses)
mixture and antibiotic on the humoral immunity (antibodies titers against
NDV and IBDV) of broiler chicks. Concerning antibodies titers against
NDV (Newcastle Disease Virus), the chicks which fed on moderate mixture
of herbs T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) had higher significant (p<0.05)
antibodies titers against NDV (Newcastle Disease Virus) than all the
treatments including negative and positive controls (T1 and T2) being (4798,
1242 and 1622) respectively. While there were no significant differences
between T4 (1% ginger) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme) on the one hand
and T2 positive control (antibiotic) on the other hand, but there were
significant (p<0.05) differences in the antibodies titers when compared to T1
(negative control) being (2143, 1993 and 1242) respectively. The treatments
which contained low dose of ginger (T3) and those which contained thyme
powder (T5 and T6) had significant (p<0.05) lower antibodies titers against
NDV compared to the T2 positive control (antibiotic) being (878, 501, 645
and 1622) respectively; however, the T3 (0.5% ginger) and T6 (1% thyme)
statistically did not differ from T1 (negative control) while the treatment
contained low dose of thyme showed the lowest antibody titer than all the
treatments including T1 (negative control). About the IBDV (Infectious
Bursal Disease Virus) antibodies titration, the chicks which fed on T7 (0.5%
ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T3 (0.5% ginger) showed higher significant
(p<0.05) antibodies titers against IBDV than all the treatments including T1
(negative control) and T2 (positive control) groups being (794, 799, 455 and
450) respectively. Again, the treatments (T4, T5 and T8) showed a
significant increase in antibodies titers compared to T1 and T2 being (611,

601, 657, 455 and 450) respectively, while there were no significant
differences in antibodies titers of T6 compared to T1 and T2.
Concerning antibodies titers against NDV, the results are in
agreement with the findings of Arshad et al. (2012) who concluded that
using ginger alone through drinking water of broilers had a positive
significant effect on the antibodies titers against NDV. Our results are also in
agreement with those of (Toghyani et al., 2010; Sadeghi et al., 2011;
Toghyani et al., 2011; Rahimi et al., 2011) who used thyme in the broiler`s
diet and drinking water and they did not find any significant differences in
the antibodies titers against NDV when compared to the control group.
While these results are in disagreement with the previous reports where
supplementation of thyme essential oil 135mg/kg of diet increased humeral
immune response against NDV compared to the control group (Foroghi et
al., 2011).
Concerning antibodies titers against IBDV, the results are in

agreement with the findings of Arshad et al. (2012) who used different
levels of ginger extract in drinking water of broiler and they observed that
adding 50ml/liter of water caused increasing in the antibodies titers against
IBDV.
4.10.2 Lymphoid Organs (Bursa of Fabricious and Spleen

Index)
Figure (15) and appendix (8) indicate the effect of ginger, thyme,
their mixture and antibiotic on bursa of fabricious and spleen index of
broiler chicks at 42 days of age. All the treatments showed no significant
differences in the index of bursa of fabricious gland compared to the
negative and positive (T1 and T2) control except the groups which contained
thyme powder alone (T5 and T6) which were significantly lower than T1
and T2 being (0.127, 0.126, 0.156 and 0.162) respectively. While the
treatments (T3, T4, T7 and T8) significantly (p<0.05) different in bursal
index than (T5 and T6) being (0.165, 0.162, 0.168, 0.166, 0.127 and 0.126)
respectively.
These researchers (El-Deek et al., 2002; Toghyani et al., 2010;
Najafi and Torki, 2010; Sadeghi et al., 2011; Rahimi et al., 2011) achieved
the same results as we did and they did not find any effect of ginger and
thyme on the relative weight of bursa and spleen in the broiler chicks.
NDV & IBDV Antibodies Titers

5000 a
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500 b
b
2000 bc
1500 cd
de
1000 a a b
bc de
d d e bc cd
500
0
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
NDV antibody titer 1242 1622 878 2143 501 645 4798 1993
IBDV antibody titer 455 450 799 611 601 508 794 657
on NDV (Newcastle Disease Virus) and IBDV (Infectious Bursal Disease
Virus) Antibodies Titers of Broiler Chicks, Different Letters Above Each
Column Indicate Significant Difference Between Means (P < 0.05). * T1
negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5
(0.5% thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
Bursa of Fabricious and Spleen Index
0.18 a a a
a a
a
0.16
a
0.14 a b a b a
a
a a a
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Bursa of Fabricious Index 0.156 0.162 0.165 0.162 0.127 0.126 0.168 0.166
Spleen Index 0.126 0.115 0.131 0.118 0.131 0.136 0.118 0.127
Figure (15) Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders , their Mixture and Antibiotic
on the Bursa of Fabricious and Spleen Index of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of
Age, Different Letters Above Each Point Indicate Significant Difference
4.11 Intestinal Microbial Parameter (Coliform Bacteria

Group)
Figures (16, 17, 18, 19 and 20) and appendix (10) show the effect of
ginger, thyme, their mixture and antibiotic on the coliform bacteria in the
jejunum part of small intestine of broiler chicks at 42 days of age. It is noted
from figure (16) that the treatments which contained ginger, thyme or their
mixture led to significant (P < 0.05) decreasing in the number of coliform
bacteria group in the jejunum digesta of broiler chicks compared to the T1
(negative control) which was free from any additive and being (133*106
CFU/g). On the other hand, it was noted that all the treatments containing
ginger, thyme and their combination except T5 (0.5% thyme) were not
different significantly in their coliform bacteria counts when compared to
birds fed on positive control containing antibiotic. While the treatment
which contained moderate level of thyme (T5) had no significant effect on
the number of harmful bacteria in the jejunum part of small intestine
compared to those birds fed on diet contained antibiotic.
These results are consistent with those of (Tekeli et al., 2010; Al-
Kassie, 2010; Rahimi et al., 2011) who stated that adding ginger and thyme
into the broiler`s diet and water significantly lowered the number of colonies
of coliform bacteria in the small intestine compared to the control group. The
results are, however, not in agreement with the report of (Tekeli et al., 2006)
who reported that adding thyme essential oil 120mg/kg diet did not affect
the coliform bacteria groups in jejunum part of small intestine of broilers
compared to the control.
The positive effect of ginger and thyme on coliform bacteria groups
may be due to the effect of essential oils that are present in these two plants.
The ginger (Z. officinale) supplemented in the broiler`s diet proved to
stimulate lactic acid bacteria and significantly decrease pathogenic bacteria

such as total mesophilic aerobic and coliform (Tekeli et al., 2011). This
effect is due to the ability of essential oils in terms of activation of
extracellular enzymes and their antibacterial properties which led to death of
bacteria by decreased pH of the medium and damage to cell wall structure of
bacteria (Tekeli et al., 2010). Similarly, other researchers also stated that the
antibacterial effect of many essential oils is attributed to their cell-wall
damaging activity, this activity affects electron exchange, ion density,
protein synthesis, phosphorylation steps and enyzme-based direct reactions.
All these lead to disturbance of osmotic balance in bacteria (Ultee et al.,
1999; Cox et al., 2000; Dorman and Deans, 2000). Thymol is a major
component thyme which has been widely studied for its antibacterial
properties (Dorman and Deans, 2000). Carvacrol is an isomer of thymol
found in essential oils isolated from oregano and thyme. Like thymol,
carvacrol also depressed antimicrobial activity (Helander et al., 1998). So
that thyme with complex mechanisms affect pathogenic bacteria by
changing cell wall bacterial permeability leading to pore formation and
osmotic shock and leakage of cytoplasm and its active contents out-side the
cell leading to their death (Lee et al., 2004).
Coliform Bacteria Group
140.00 a
120.00
100.00
80.00
60.00
40.00 b
c c c c c
c
20.00
0.00
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Coliform group CFU/g 133.00 17.13 20.40 20.00 32.00 19.00 21.33 22.00
on the Coliform Bacteria Group in the Jejunum Part of Small Intestine of
Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age (CFU/g * 106), Different Letters Above
Each Column Indicate Significant Difference Between Means (P < 0.05). *
T1 negative control (without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger),
T5 (0.5% thyme), T6 (1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
Figure (17) show the culture sample of coliform bacteria of T1 (negative control
without antibiotic) and T2 (positive control with antibiotic) broilers groups.
Figure (18) show the culture sample of coliform bacteria of T3 (0.5% ginger)
and T4 (1% ginger) broilers groups.
Figure (19) show the culture sample of coliform bacteria of T5 (0.5% thyme)
and T6 (1% thyme) broilers groups.
Figure (20) show the culture sample of coliform bacteria of T7 (0.5%

ginger+0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger+1% thyme) broilers groups.
4.12 Economic Feasibility

The economic feasibility which depended on the cost divided into
two parts; the first one is fixed costs which include all costs except feed cost
while the second one is feed costs. All birds were marketed according to the
price of Duhok market in June, 2012 which was (3850 IQD / kg live body
weight). Table (12) shows the economic feasibility of this study at 42 days
of age of broiler chicks fed on ginger, thyme and their mixture as
alternatives for antibiotic growth promoter. It is noted that the treatment
which contained moderate mixture of herbs T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5 % thyme)
recorded the highest net income being (224,443 IQD) among all the
treatments compared to negative (T1) which was (147,922 IQD), but it was
lower than T2 positive control (antibiotic) being (229,982 IQD). Also the
treatments which contained ginger powder (T3 and T4) and thyme powder
(T6) recorded a high net income compared to the T1 negative control which
was free from any additives being (217,258 / 190,930 / 161,344 and 147,922
IQD) respectively, but they had a lower net income compared to the T2
positive control which contained antibiotic. So it can be seen from the above
mentioned table that T7 had the highest contribution ratio of net income
compared to all the treatments except T2 being (151.73 %), also T3 which
contained low dose of ginger powder (0.5% ginger) gave a high contribution
ratio of net income being (146.87 %). While T5 (0.5% thyme) and T8 which
contained high level of herbs mixture (1% ginger + 1% thyme) recoded the
lowest contribution ratio of net income being (93.82 and 70.78 %)
respectively compared to all the treatments including negative (T1) and
positive control (T2) which were (100 and 155.48 %) respectively.
Contribution ratios of the treatments in net income compared to the T1
according to the sequence are: T2, T7, T3, T4, T6, T5 and T8, being (55.48,
51.73, 46.87, 29.07, 9.07, – 6.18 and – 29.22 %) respectively.
Table (12) Economic Feasibility of the Treatments at 42 Days of Age of

Broiler Chicks
Economic variables / treatment (75 birds)

Treatments Fixed Variable Total Total Net Contribution
costs (feed+herbs) costs income income ratio of net
(IQD) costs (IQD) (IQD) (IQD) (IQD) income %
T1 225325 247599 472923 620845 147922 100
T2 225325 262717 488042 718024 229982 155.48
T3 225325 265446 490771 708029 217258 146.87
T4 225325 282060 507384 698314 190930 129.07
T5 225325 262650 487974 626753 138779 93.82
T6 225325 283649 508974 670318 161344 109.07
T7 225325 281123 506447 730890 224443 151.73
T8 225325 318825 544150 648848 104698 70.78
* Marketing Price for Live Body Weight of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age
was According to the Price of Duhok Market in June, 2012. ** Fixed Costs
Including Costs of Chicks, Drugs, Vaccines, Water, Electricity, Fees Work,
Litter, Capital, Erosion of Building and Equipments. *** T1 negative control
(without antibiotic), T2 positive control (antibiotic), T3 (0.5% ginger), T4 (1% ginger), T5 (0.5% thyme), T6
(1% thyme), T7 (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) and T8 (1% ginger + 1% thyme).
Chapter Five Conclusions and Recommendations 96
Chapter Five
Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Conclusions
1. Moderate mixture of medicinal herbs powder at level (0.5% ginger +
0.5% thyme) in the feed was the best supplementation for the broiler.
2. Diet supplementation with thyme powder alone (0.5 and 1%) did not
have any improvement on the broiler`s performance especially
productive traits.
3. Feed supplementation with low dose of ginger and moderate mixture of
herbs gave the best results in mortality rate. Also the production index
recorded the best results in the group of broiler fed moderate mixture of
herbs (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme).
4. Herbs dietary treatments had no effect on the dressing, carcass cuts and
visceral organs percentages.
5. These medicinal plants generally improved biochemical parameters of
the broiler chicks.
6. Using ginger alone and moderate mixture of ginger and thyme powder
(0.5% + 0.5%) caused increasing in the humoral immunity against
Newcastle and Infectious Bursal disease viruses, while the treatments did
not affect the lymphoid organs index.
7. All the treated groups decreased the number of (Coliform bacteria) in the
jejunum part of small intestine of broilers.
8. The best contribution ratio of net income was recorded by those broilers
which fed on moderate mixture of medicinal plant and low dose of ginger
powder.
Chapter Five Conclusions and Recommendations 97
5.2 Recommendations
1. Based on the research, it is highly recommended to use moderate mixture
of medicinal plants (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme) as growth promoter
instead of antibiotic in the diets of commercial broiler flocks.
2. Studying the effect of ginger, thyme and their mixture diet
supplementation by using another percentages (0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 %) in
the broiler`s diet.
3. Studying the diet supplementation with ginger, thyme and their mixture
during starter period or in finisher period only and compared to that with
continuous supplementation in starter and finisher.
4. More studies must be carried out to study the effect of the diet
supplementation with ginger, thyme and their mixture on commercial
layer and quail.
5. Doing more investigation to show the effect of these medicinal herbs on
the other harmful bacteria that present in the gut, and also studying the
histological properties of small intestine parts, liver, muscles, heart and
kidneys.
6. Studying the effect of these herbs on the infected flocks by Newcastle
and Infectious Bursal diseases.
7. Mechanism action of herbal products is not very clear yet; so, we may
have more studies to investigate the mode of action of these medicinal
herbs alone or in combination in poultry nutrition.
8. Further studies are necessary to isolate and characterize the active
ingredients in the medicinal plant for clarification of the mode of
constituent actions.
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Appendix Table (1) Mean and Test of Significance for Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic
on Average Weekly and Final Live Body Weight
Mean squares
Traits d.f
1st week 2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week 6th week
Treatment 7 0.91 118.25 1018.70* 4334.41* 7713.13* 23332.37*
Error 16 1.34 692.20 146.75 183.28 134.97 638.16
*: p<0.05
on Average Weekly and Accumulative Body Weight Gain
Mean squares
Traits d.f
2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week 6th week Accumulative
Treatment 7 110.62 665.90* 1366.97* 1856.72* 4668.12* 23232.63*
Appendices 118
Error 16 586.02 137.78 172.73 179.15 650.22 364.32
*: p<0.05
on Average Weekly and Accumulative Feed Consumption
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Treatment 7 281.34 1600.29* 901.61 799.33 1230.98 2358.66
Error 16 330.17 892.73 1018.60 779.57 1114.59 18534.95
*: p<0.05
on Average Weekly and Accumulative Feed Conversion Ratio
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Appendices 119
Treatment 7 0.003 0.014* 0.042* 0.023* 0.055* 0.018*
Error 16 0.008 0.007 0.005 0.008 0.006 0.004
*: p<0.05
Appendix Table (5) Mean and Test of Significance for Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic on
Production Index and Mortality Rate at 42 Days
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Production index at 42 days Mortality rate at 42 days
Treatment 7 2170.83* 28.88*
Error 16 49.52 6.59
*: p<0.05
Appendix Table (6) Mean and Test of Significance for Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic on
Live Body and Carcass Weight, Dressing Percentage with and without Giblet, Breast, Legs and Wings
Percentages at 42 Days
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Dressing % Dressing %
Appendices 120
Live BW Carcass wt Breast % Legs % Wings %
without giblet with giblet
Treatment 7 41388.10 21865.22 7.17 3.83 0.47 2.08 0.43
Error 16 64684.85 35421.90 10.29 11.20 0.43 2.39 0.42
*: p<0.05
on Back, Neck, Abdominal Fat, Liver, Heart, Gizzard and Proventriculus Percentage at 42 Days
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Abdominal
Back % Neck % Liver % Heart % Gizzard % Proventriculus
fat %
Treatment 7 1.24* 0.34 0.05* 0.05 0.015 0.19* 0.0072
Error 16 0.91 0.23 0.03 0.04 0.018 0.11 0.0079
*: p<0.05
on NDV and IBDV Antibodies Titers, Bursa of Fabricious and Spleen Index
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Bursa of fabricious
NDV titer IBDV titer Spleen index
index
Appendices 121
Treatment 7 5706997.28* 55843.06* 0.00089* 0.00058
Error 16 145188.71 4534.85 0.00007 0.00097
*: p<0.05
on the Levels of Total Protein, Albumin, Cholesterol, Triglyceride and Glucose in the Blood Serum of
Broilers at 42 Days
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Total protein Albumin Cholesterol Triglyceride Glucose
Treatment 7 0.42* 0.05* 119.97* 283.18* 2925.51*
Error 16 0.02 0.02 6.67 36.94 114.90
*: p<0.05
on the Coliform Bacteria in the Jejunum Part of Small Intestine of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age
Mean squares
Traits d.f
Appendices 122
Coliform bacteria
Treatment 7 4705.65*
Error 16 3.73
*: p<0.05
Appendices 123
Leaflet appendix (1)

* Protein concentration 5%
Protein concentration per 50 kg:
Crude protein 40%, ME 2050 kcal, crude fat 1.6%, ash 20.9%, moisture
9.3%, crude fiber 3.5%, methionine 3.7%, methionine + cystine 4.26%,
sodium 2.4%, lysine 3.85 %, calcium 3.85%, phosphorous(available) 2.5%,
vitamin (A) 240000 IU, vitamin (D3) 50000 IU, vitamin (E) 300 mg,
vitamin (K3) 30 mg, vitamin (B1) 20 mg, vitamin (B2) 100 mg, pantothenic
acid 184 mg, vitamin (B6) 40 mg, vitamin (B12) 300 mcg, nicotinic acid
600 mg, folic acid 15 mg, biotin 1000 mg, choline chloride 5000 mg, iron
1200 mg, copper 300 mg, manganese 1600 mg, zinc 1000 mg, iodine 20 mg,
selenium 3 mg, cobalt 4mg, salinomycine-Na 1000 mg, phytase added,
antioxidant added.
Production date: 01-2012
Expiry date: 9 months after production date.
Imported by:
Anar company / Nihad Saleh Ibrahim, Duhok – Iraq.
Produced by:
Hendrix NV
oBE2199, Westkaai 21,
2170 Merksem, Belgium
Exported by:
Trouw Nutrition Hifeed B. V.
www.trouwnutrition.net
Appendices 124

** BROMIX – 2.5 W
Premix contents per 25 kg: Vitamin (A) 440 IU, vitamin (D3) 120 IU,
vitamin (E) 1.2 mg, vitamin (K3) 100 mg, vitamin (B1) 120 mg, vitamin
(B2) 280 mg, pantothenic acid 640 mg, vitamin (B6) 160 mg, vitamin (B12)
1.4 mcg, nicotinic acid 1.6 mg, folic acid 40 mg, biotin 4 mg, choline
chloride 12 mg, iron 2 mg, copper 400 mg, manganese 3.2 mg, zinc 2.4 mg,
iodine 40 mg, selenium 10 mg, calcium 23.2%, phosphorous(available)
9.3%, methionine 6%, methionine + cystine 6%, sodium 4.9%, lysine 1.6 %,
salinomycine 2.4 ppm, BHT 200 mg, 6-phytase 60 FYT.
Exporter:
WAFI B.V
ALBLASSERDAM – HOLLAND
Month of production: August 2011
Month of expiry: August 2012

Appendices 125
*** Mold Killer Powder (Anti-fungul) for use animal, to help in the control
of mold, fungi growth.
Anti-fungul contains per each kg: Propionic acid 350 g, acetic acid 100 g,
benzonic acid 100 g, sorbic acid 30 g.
Use Levels: Use 250 grams of mold killer per ton of finished feed
containing 15% or less moisture content. Use 500 grams of mold killer per
ton of finished feed containing 15 – 18% moisture content.
Manufacturing date: 20/07/2011

Expiry date: 07/2013
GLOBAL NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL

BP 70166 – 35301 FOUGERES Cedex – FRANCE
Tel. + 33 (0) 299170009
Fax + 33 (0) 299944843
E-mail: info@globalnutrition.com
Website: www.globalnutrition.com
Appendices 126

**** Multi-vitamins (CHOLIVIT)
Water soluble and feed additive powder
Cholivit – M is highly concentrated vitamins and minerals to fulfill the
necessary requirements of poultry, sheep, goats, cattle, camels and equines.
COMPOSITION: each Kg contains:
Vitamin A 8,000,000 I.U. Folic acid 50 mg
Vitamin D3 1,500,000 I.U. Nicotinamide 6000 mg
Vitamin E 1000 I.U. Ca pantothenate 4000 mg
Vitamin K3 2000 mg Mn sulphate 400 mg
Vitamin B1 500 mg Zn sulphate 150 mg
Vitamin B2 500 mg Fe sulphate 500 mg
Vitamin B6 200 mg Cu sulphate 40 mg
Vitamin B12 8 mg Co chloride 10 mg
Indications:
 Cholivit – M enhances and improve the metabolism of feed and its

conversion; the nutritional efficiency, the productivity, the growth rate
and feathering; performance, fertility and hatchability rates.
 Cholivit – M increase the production of milk, meat and eggs of different
livestock.
 Cholivit – M is recommended in case of vitamins and minerals
deficiency caused by parasites; and to activate immunity against different
diseases.
 Cholivit – M overcomes stress factors attacking poultry and livestock.
Dosage: for poultry, 100 gm per 200 liters of drinking water for 5 – 7 days.
Via feed: 1 – 1.5 kg per ton of feed.
Production date: 01/2012.
Expiry date: 01/2015.
Made in Jordan
Appendices 127

*****Vitamin C
Each 1 gm contains: 250 mg of vitamin C.
Indications:
Vitamin C used to increase resistance to infectious. In hot weather vitamin C

combats anorexia and increases feed and water intake, it also assists in
absorption and utilization of nutrients.
Dosage: for poultry 100 gm / 200 liters of drinking water for 5 – 7 days, or
via feed 1 Kg / Ton in stress conditions.
Warning: if given in drinking water it should be used within 24 hours.
Side effects: vitamin C has no side effects if given in the advised doses.
Manufacture date: 6/2011.
Expiry date: 6/2013.

****** (Met AMINO) DL methionine
DL methionine, feed grade 99%.
Production date: 24/04/2011.
Expiry date: 24/04/2016.
Manufactured by: Distributed by:
Evonik Degussa Antwerpen N.V. Evonik Degussa GmbH
Tijsmanstunnel West Feed additive
B-2040 Antwerpen 4 63403 Hanau
Belgium Germany
Appendices 128
Appendices 129
Appendices 130
 –




(Thymus Vulgaris) ‫( و‬Zingiber Officinale) 
 



 
()

‫أﺣﻤﺪ ﻣﺸﯿﺮ ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ ﺧﺪرى‬




(٢٠٠٩)

‫دﻛﺘﻮر إﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﻛﻠﻮر‬





‫ ﺗﻤﻮز‬٢٠١٣ ٢٧١٣ ‫ رﻣﻀﺎن‬١٤٣٤


\  \
\ \ \\ \
thymeginger \ \
           
        Coliform      
  \  \       Ross      
               
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  – 
               – 
               
             
antibody titer
                
           
           Coliform    


     
               
           p< 
    

   

                  

              p<   

   p<             
       production index   

    dressing %          
 
    
   
 
             
               
    p<         
 
               

   
 antibody titer p<
p<  
             antibody titer 
                 

              
  Coliformp<

      
 

                

‫ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ إﻗﻠﯿﻢ ﻛﻮردﺳﺘﺎن – اﻟﻌﺮاق‬
‫وزارة اﻟﺘﻌﻠﯿﻢ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻲ و اﻟﺒﺤﺚ اﻟﻌﻠﻤﻲ‬
‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ دھﻮك‬
‫ﻓﺎﻛﻮﻟﺘﻲ اﻟﺰراﻋﺔ و اﻟﻐﺎﺑﺎت‬
‫ﺳﻜﻮل اﻹﻧﺘﺎج اﻟﺤﯿﻮاﻧﻲ‬
‫ﺗﺄﺛﯿﺮ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ )‪ (Zingiber Officinale‬و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ )‪(Thymus Vulgaris‬‬

‫َﻛ ُﻤ َﻜﻤِﻼت ﻏﺬاﺋﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷداء اﻹﻧﺘﺎﺟﻲ واﻟﻤﻨﺎﻋﻲ ﻟﻔﺮوج اﻟﻠﺤﻢ‬
‫رﺳﺎﻟﺔ ﻣﻘﺪﻣﺔ إﻟﻰ‬

‫ﻣﺠﻠﺲ ﻓﺎﻛﻮﻟﺘﻲ اﻟﺰراﻋﺔ و اﻟﻐﺎﺑﺎت‬
‫ﻛﺠﺰء ﻣﻦ ﻣﺘﻄﻠﺒﺎت ﻧﯿﻞ ﺷﮭﺎدة اﻟﻤﺎﺟﺴﺘﯿﺮ‪ /‬ﻋﻠﻮم اﻟﺰراﻋﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻹﻧﺘﺎج اﻟﺤﯿﻮاﻧﻲ‬
‫)ﺗﻐﺬﯾﺔ دواﺟﻦ(‬
‫ﻣﻦ ﻗِﺒَﻞ‬
‫أﺣﻤﺪ ﻣﺸﯿﺮ ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺨﺪري‬

‫ﺑﻜﺎﻟﻮرﯾﻮس ﻋﻠﻮم زراﻋﯿﺔ‬
‫إﻧﺘﺎج ﺣﯿﻮاﻧﻲ‬
‫)‪(٢٠٠٩‬‬
‫ﺑﺈﺷﺮاف‬
‫اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر إﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﻛﻠﻮر‬

‫أُﺳﺘﺎذ‬
‫ﻗﺴﻢ اﻟﺜﺮوة اﻟﺤﯿﻮاﻧﯿﺔ‬
‫ﻛﻠﯿﺔ اﻟﺰراﻋﺔ و اﻟﻐﺎﺑﺎت‬
‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟﻤﻮﺻﻞ‬
‫‪ ٢٠١٣‬ﺗﻤﻮز‬ ‫‪٢٧١٣‬‬ ‫‪ ١٤٣٤‬رﻣﻀﺎن‬

‫اﻟﺨُ ﻼﺻﺔ‬
‫أﺟﺮﯾﺖ ھﺬه اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺣﻘﻞ اﻟﺪواﺟﻦ \ ﺳﻜﻮل اﻹﻧﺘﺎج اﻟﺤﯿﻮاﻧﻲ \ ﻓﺎﻛﻮﻟﺘﻲ اﻟﺰراﻋﺔ و‬
‫اﻟﻐﺎﺑﺎت \ ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ دھﻮك \ إﻗﻠﯿﻢ ﻛﻮردﺳﺘﺎن \ اﻟﻌﺮاق ﻟﻠﻔﺘﺮة ﻣﻦ ‪ ٢٠١٢ \ ٥\ ١٣‬ﻟﻐﺎﯾﺔ ‪٢٠١٢\ ٦ \ ٢٣‬‬
‫ﺑﮭﺪف دراﺳﺔ ﺗﺄﺛﯿﺮ إﺳﺘﺨﺪام ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ‪ ,‬اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ واﻟﺨﻠﻂ ﺑﯿﻨﮭُﻤﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺼﻔﺎت‬
‫اﻹﻧﺘﺎﺟﯿﺔ‪ ,‬ﻗﻄﯿﻌﺎت اﻟﺬﺑﯿﺤﺔ‪ ,‬اﻟﺼﻔﺎت اﻟﺒﺎﯾﻮﻛﯿﻤﯿﺎﺋﯿﺔ ﻟﻤﺼﻞ اﻟﺪم‪ ,‬اﻟﺤﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﻤﻨﺎﻋﯿﺔ و ﺗﻌﺪاد اﻟﺒﻜﺘﯿﺮﯾﺎ‬
‫اﻟﻀﺎرة ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘﻨﺎة اﻟﮭﻀﻤﯿﺔ ﻟﻔﺮوج اﻟﻠﺤﻢ‪ .‬أﺳﺘُﺨ ِﺪ َم ‪ ٦٠٠‬طﺎﺋﺮ ﺑﻌﻤﺮ ﯾﻮم واﺣﺪ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻼﻟﺔ )‪(Ross ٣٠٨‬‬
‫ﺗﻢ اﻟﺤﺼﻮل ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻔﻘﺲ اﻟﻌﻤﺎدﯾﺔ \ ﺳُﻤﯿﻞ \ دھﻮك وﺗﻢ ﺗﺮﺑﯿﺔ اﻟﻄﯿﻮر ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﺟﻤﺎﻋﻲ ﻟﻐﺎﯾﺔ اﻟﯿﻮم‬
‫اﻟﺴﺎدس ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺔ‪ ,‬ﻓﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻊ ﺗﻢ ﺗﻮزﯾﻌُﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﻮاﺋﯿﺎ ً ﻓﻲ ﺛﻤﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻼت ﺗﺠﺮﯾﺒﯿﺔ )ﺛﻼث‬
‫ﻣﻜﺮرات ﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ( و ﻛﻞ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ ﺗﺤﺘﻮي ﻋﻠﻰ ‪ ٧٥‬طﺎﺋﺮ ﺑﻤﻌﺪل ‪ ٢٥‬طﺎﺋﺮ ﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﻜﺮر وﻛﺎﻧﺖ‬
‫اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت ﻛﺎﻵﺗﻲ ‪:‬‬
‫‪ .١‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻻوﻟﻰ ‪ .................‬ﻋﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺴﺎﻟﺒﺔ )ﺑﺪون ﻣﻀﺎد ﺣﯿﻮي(‬

‫‪ .٢‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ ‪ ..................‬ﻋﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﻤﻮﺟﺒﺔ )ﺗﺤﺘﻮي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻀﺎد اﻟﺤﯿﻮي‬
‫‪ ١٦٠ (FOSBAC PLUS T‬ﻣﻠﻐﻢ ﻟﻜﻞ ‪ ١‬ﻛﻐﻢ وزن اﻟﺠﺴﻢ اﻟﺤﻲ‬
‫‪ .٣‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺜﺔ ‪ % ٠٫٥ ...................‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫‪ .٤‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺮاﺑﻌﺔ ‪ % ١ .................‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫‪ .٥‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺨﺎﻣﺴﺔ ‪ % ٠٫٥ ................‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫‪ .٦‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺴﺎدﺳﺔ ‪ % ١ ................‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫‪ .٧‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻌﺔ ‪ % ٠٫٥ .................‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ‪ % ٠٫٥ +‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ﻣﻊ‬
‫اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫‪ .٨‬اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻣﻨﺔ ‪ % ١ ..................‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ‪ % ١ +‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫ُﻏ ِﺬﯾَﺖ اﻟﻄﯿﻮر ﺑﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﺒﺎديء )‪ ٢١ – ١‬ﯾﻮم( ﺛﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﻨﺎھﻲ ﻟﻠﻔﺘﺮة )‪ ٤٢ – ٢٢‬ﯾﻮم(‬
‫واﺳﺘﻤﺮت ﻓﺘﺮة اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ ﻟﻤﺪة ﺳﺘﺔ أﺳﺎﺑﯿﻊ‪ .‬ﺗﻢ ﻗﯿﺎس اﻟﺼﻔﺎت اﻟﺘﺎﻟﯿﺔ اﺳﺒﻮﻋﯿﺎ ً ‪ :‬وزن اﻟﺠﺴﻢ اﻟﺤﻲ‪,‬‬
‫اﻟﺰﯾﺎدة اﻟﻮزﻧﯿﺔ‪ ,‬اﺳﺘﮭﻼك اﻟﻌﻠﻒ‪ ,‬ﻛﻔﺎءة اﻟﺘﺤﻮﯾﻞ اﻟﻐﺬاﺋﻲ و ﻧﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﮭﻼﻛﺎت‪ .‬ﻓﻲ ﻧﮭﺎﯾﺔ ﻓﺘﺮة اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺔ )‪٤٢‬‬
‫ﯾﻮم( ﺗﻢ ﺗﻘﺪﯾﺮ ﺻﻔﺎت ﻧﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﺘﺼﺎﻓﻲ‪ ,‬ﻧﺴﺒﺔ ﻗﻄﯿﻌﺎت اﻟﺬﺑﯿﺤﺔ‪ ,‬اﻟﺪﻟﯿﻞ اﻹﻧﺘﺎﺟﻲ‪ ,‬دﻟﯿﻞ ﻏﺪة ﻓﺎﺑﺮﯾﺸﯿﺎ و‬
‫اﻟﻄﺤﺎل‪ ,‬ﻛﺬﻟﻚ ﺗﻢ ﻗﯿﺎس ﻣﺴﺘﻮى اﻷﺟﺴﺎم اﻟﻤﻀﺎدة ﺿﺪ ﻓﺎﯾﺮوس ﻣﺮض اﻟﻜﻤﺒﻮرو و اﻟﻨﯿﻮﻛﺎﺳﻞ ﻓﻲ‬
‫ﻣﺼﻞ اﻟﺪم ﻓﻲ اﻻﯾﺎم ‪ ٢٧‬و ‪ ٣٠‬ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻮاﻟﻲ‪ .‬ﻛﺬﻟﻚ ﺗﻢ ﻗﯿﺎس ﻣﺴﺘﻮى ﻣﺼﻞ اﻟﺪم ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺮوﺗﯿﻦ‬
‫اﻟﻜﻠﻲ‪ ,‬اﻷﻟﺒﻮﻣﯿﻦ‪ ,‬اﻟﻜﻮﻟﺴﺘﺮول‪ ,‬اﻟﻜﻠﯿﺴﯿﺮﯾﺪ اﻟﺜﻼﺛﯿﺔ و اﻟﻜﻠﻮﻛﻮزﻋﻨﺪ ﻋﻤﺮ ‪ ٤٢‬ﯾﻮم‪ ,‬وأﯾﻀﺎ ً ﺗﻢ ﻗﯿﺎس‬
‫أﻋﺪاد ﺑﻜﺘﯿﺮﯾﺎ ‪ Coliform‬ﻓﻲ ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻟﺼﺎﺋﻢ ﻣﻦ اﻷﻣﻌﺎء اﻟﺪﻗﯿﻘﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻧﮭﺎﯾﺔ ﻓﺘﺮة اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ )‪ ٤٢‬ﯾﻮم(‪.‬‬
‫ﯾﻤﻜﻦ ﺗﻠﺨﯿﺺ ﻧﺘﺎﺋﺞ اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ ﻛﺎﻵﺗﻲ ‪:‬‬
‫‪ .١‬إن اﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ﻟﻮﺣﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﯾﯿﻦ ‪ % ٠٫٥‬و ‪ % ١‬او إﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى ﻣﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ‬
‫ﺧﻠﯿﻂ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ )‪ (% ٠٫٥ + % ٠٫٥‬أدى اﻟﻰ ﺗﺤﺴﻦ ﻣﻌﻨﻮي )‪ (p<٠٫٠٥‬ﻓﻲ ﻣﻌﻈﻢ‬
‫اﻟﺼﻔﺎت اﻹﻧﺘﺎﺟﯿﺔ اﻟﻤﺪروﺳﺔ‪ .‬ﺗﻢ اﻟﺤﺼﻮل ﻋﻠﻰ أﻓﻀﻞ ﻣﻌﺪﻻت ﻟﻠﺼﻔﺎت اﻹﻧﺘﺎﺟﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫اﻟﺤﺎوﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻠﯿﻂ ﻣﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ )‪ (% ٠٫٥ + % ٠٫٥‬ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﻣﻊ ﻛﺎﻓﺔ‬
‫اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻻﺧﺮى ﺑﻀﻤﻨﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻘﻲ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺴﺎﻟﺒﺔ و اﻟﻤﻮﺟﺒﺔ‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٢‬إن اﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ﻟﻮﺣﺪه ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﯾﯿﻦ ‪ % ٠٫٥‬و ‪ % ١‬ﻣﻦ ﻣﻜﻮﻧﺎت اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ ﻟﻢ‬
‫ﺗﺆدي اﻟﻰ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ ﻣﻌﻨﻮي ﻓﻲ أداء ﻓﺮوج اﻟﻠﺤﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺤﺎوﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻀﺎد‬
‫اﻟﺤﯿﻮي‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٣‬ﻻﯾﻮﺟﺪ ﺗﺄﺛﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﻨﻮي ﻟﻜﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻟﺘﺠﺮﯾﺒﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻛﻤﯿﺔ اﻟﻌﻠﻒ اﻻﺳﺒﻮﻋﻲ اﻟﻤﺘﻨﺎول أو اﻟﻌﻠﻒ‬
‫اﻟﻜﻠﻲ اﻟﺘﺠﻤﻌﻲ‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٤‬إﻧﺨِ ﻔﺎض ﻣﻌﻨﻮي )‪ (p<٠٫٠٥‬ﻓﻲ ﻧﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﮭﻼﻛﺎت ﻟﻠﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻨﺎوﻟﺖ اﻟﻌﻼﺋﻖ اﻟﺤﺎوﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ‬
‫اﻟﻤﻀﺎد اﻟﺤﯿﻮي‪ % ٠٫٥ ,‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ‪ % ١ ,‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ و ﻛﺬﻟﻚ اﻟﺨﻠﻂ اﻟﻤﻌﺘﺪل‬
‫ﻟﻠﻌُﺸﺒﯿﻦ ﺑﻨﺴﺐ )‪ % ٠٫٥‬زﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ‪ % ٠٫٥ +‬زﻋﺘﺮ( و ذﻟﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻄﯿﻮر اﻟﻤﻐﺬاة ﺑﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ‬
‫اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺴﺎﻟﺒﺔ اﻟﺨﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ أي إﺿﺎﻓﺔ‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٥‬ﻟﻮﺣِ ﻆ أن اﻟﻄﯿﻮر اﻟﻤﻐﺬاة ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﺤﺎوﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى ﻣﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ ﻣﺰﯾﺞ اﻟﻌُﺸﺒﯿﻦ ﺑﻨﺴﺒﺔ )‪% ٠٫٥‬‬
‫زﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ‪ % ٠٫٥ +‬زﻋﺘﺮ( اﻋﻄﺖ أﻓﻀﻞ ﻗﯿﻤﺔ ﻟﻠﺪﻟﯿﻞ اﻹﻧﺘﺎﺟﻲ ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﺑﻜﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻻﺧﺮى‬
‫ﺑﻀﻤﻨﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺴﺎﻟﺐ و اﻟﻤﻮﺟﺐ‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٦‬ﻻﯾﻮﺟﺪ ﻓﺮوﻗﺎت ﻣﻌﻨﻮﯾﺔ ﺑﯿﻦ ﻛﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻟﺘﺠﺮﯾﺒﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻨﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﻤﺌﻮﯾﺔ ﻟﻠﺘﺼﺎﻓﻲ و ﻗﻄﯿﻌﺎت‬
‫اﻟﺬﺑﯿﺤﺔ ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﻣﻊ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺴﺎﻟﺐ اﻟﺨﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﻦ أي إﺿﺎﻓﺔ و اﻟﻤﻮﺟﺐ اﻟﺤﺎوي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻀﺎد‬
‫اﻟﺤﯿﻮي‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٧‬إن اﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ﻟﻮﺣﺪه ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ أو اﻟﺨﻠﯿﻂ اﻟﻤﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ أدى اﻟﻰ‬
‫زﯾﺎدة ﻓﻲ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى ﺑﺮوﺗﯿﻦ ﻣﺼﻞ اﻟﺪم و اﻷﻟﺒﻮﻣﯿﻦ ﻟﻠﻄﯿﻮر ﻋﻨﺪ ﻋﻤﺮ ‪ ٤٢‬ﯾﻮم‪ ,‬ﻛﺬﻟﻚ ﻟﻮﺣﻆ أن ﺟﻤﯿﻊ‬
‫اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻟﺘﺠﺮﯾﺒﯿﺔ و ﺧﺎﺻﺔ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ ادى اﻟﻰ إﻧﺨِ ﻔﺎض ﻓﻲ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى‬
‫ﻛﻮﻟﯿﺴﺘﺮول ﻣﺼﻞ اﻟﺪم وﻛﺬﻟﻚ أدى إﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ﻟﻮﺣﺪه و ﻣﺴﺘﻮى ﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ‬
‫)‪ (% ١‬و ﺧﻠﻂ ﻣﺰﯾﺞ ﻣﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ اﻟﻰ إﻧﺨِ ﻔﺎض ﻣﻌﻨﻮي )‪ (p<٠٫٠٥‬ﻓﻲ‬
‫ﻣﺴﺘﻮى اﻟﻜﻠﯿﺴﯿﺮﯾﺪات اﻟﺜﻼﺛﯿﺔ ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﺑﻌﻠﯿﻘﺘﻲ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة‪ ,‬ﻛﻤﺎ ﻟﻮﺣِ ﻆ إﻧﺨِﻔﺎض ﻣﺴﺘﻮى ﻛﻠﻮﻛﻮز‬
‫ﻣﺼﻞ اﻟﺪم ﻓﻲ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت و ﺧﺎﺻﺔ اﻟﺤﺎوﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺰﯾﺞ ﻣﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ﻓﻲ‬
‫اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ وذﻟﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﻣﻊ ﻋﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺨﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ أي إﺿﺎﻓﺔ‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٨‬إن اﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق ﻣﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ )‪ (% ٠٫٥ + % ٠٫٥‬ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ أدى اﻟﻰ‬
‫ﺗﺤﺴﻦ ﻣﻌﻨﻮي )‪ (p<٠٫٠٥‬ﻓﻲ اﻷﺟﺴﺎم اﻟﻤﻀﺎدة ﻟﻔﺎﯾﺮوس ﻣﺮض اﻟﻨﯿﻮﻛﺎﺳﻞ و اﻟﻜﻤﺒﻮرو‬
‫ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﻣﻊ ﻛﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻻﺧﺮى‪ .‬ﻛﻤﺎ ﻟﻮﺣِ ﻆ أن اﻟﻌﻼﺋﻖ اﻟﺤﺎوﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ‬
‫‪ % ٠٫٥‬و ‪ ,%١‬ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ‪ ,% ٠٫٥‬ﺧﻠﯿﻂ ﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ )‪(% ١ + % ١‬‬
‫أﻧﺘﺠﺖ طﯿﻮر ﺑﻤﺴﺘﻮى ﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﻌﻨﻮﯾﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻷﺟﺴﺎم اﻟﻤﻀﺎدة ﻟﻤﺮض اﻟﻜﻤﺒﻮرو ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﺑﻤُﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﻲ‬
‫اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﻤﻮﺟﺐ )اﻟﻤﻀﺎد اﻟﺤﯿﻮي( واﻟﺴﺎﻟﺐ )اﻟﺨﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﻦ أي إﺿﺎﻓﺔ(‪.‬‬
‫‪ .٩‬إن اﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﺴﺤﻮق اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ أو اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ ﻟﻮﺣﺪھﻤﺎ أو اﻟﻤﺰج ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﻌُﺸﺒﯿﻦ أدى اﻟﻰ إﻧﺨِﻔﺎض ﻣﻌﻨﻮي‬
‫)‪ (p<٠٫٠٥‬ﻓﻲ ﻋﺪد ﺑﻜﺘﯿﺮﯾﺎ ‪ Coliform‬اﻟﻤﻮﺟﻮدة ﻓﻲ اﻷﻣﻌﺎء اﻟﺪﻗﯿﻘﺔ ﻟﻠﻄﯿﻮر ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﻣﻊ‬
‫ﻋﻠﯿﻘﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﻄﺮة اﻟﺴﺎﻟﺒﺔ‪.‬‬
‫إن ﺗﻐﺬﯾﺔ اﻟﻄﯿﻮر ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺤﺎوﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻀﺎد اﻟﺤﯿﻮي و اﻟﻤﺰﯾﺞ اﻟﻤﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ و‬ ‫‪.١٠‬‬
‫اﻟﺰﻋﺘﺮ )‪ (% ٠٫٥ + % ٠٫٥‬أﻋﻄﻰ اﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺴﺒﺔ ﻣﺴﺎھﻤﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺻﺎﻓﻲ اﻟﺮﺑﺢ ﺑﻠﻎ ‪ ١٥٥٫٤٨‬و‬
‫‪ % ١٥١٫٧٣‬ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻮاﻟﻲ ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﺑﺠﻤﯿﻊ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻷﺧﺮى ﻋﻨﺪ ﻋﻤﺮ اﻟﺘﺴﻮﯾﻖ‪.‬‬
‫ﺑﻨﺎءاً ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺬه اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ ﺗﻢ اﻟﺘﻮﺻﻞ اﻟﻰ إﺳﺘﻨﺘﺎج ﺑﺄﻧﮫُ إﺿﺎﻓﺔ ﺧﻠﯿﻂ ﻣﻌﺘﺪل ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺒﺎﺗﺎت اﻟﻄﺒﯿﺔ‬
‫)‪ % ٠٫٥‬زﻧﺠﺒﯿﻞ ‪ % ٠٫٥ +‬زﻋﺘﺮ( اﻟﻰ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﻘﺔ أدت اﻟﻰ ﺗﺤﺴﻦ ﻣﻌﻨﻮي ﻓﻲ اﻻداء اﻹﻧﺘﺎﺟﻲ و اﻟﺤﺎﻟﺔ‬
‫اﻟﻤﻨﺎﻋﯿﺔ ﻟﺪى ﻓﺮوج اﻟﻠﺤﻢ‪ ,‬وﯾﻤﻜﻦ ان ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﺪﯾﻼ ﻧﺎﺟﺤﺎ ﻟﻠﻤﻀﺎدات اﻟﺤﯿﻮﯾﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺴﺘﺨﺪم ﻛﻤﺤﻔﺰات‬
‫ﻟﻠﻨﻤﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻼﺋﻖ ﻓﺮوج اﻟﻠﺤﻢ‪.‬‬
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EFFECT OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) AND THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS)

Thesis · July 2013

Ahmed Musheer Abdulrahman Al-Khdri

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

EFFECT OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) AND

AS A PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AHMED MUSHEER ABDULRAHMAN AL KHDRI

Dr. IBRAHIM SAID KLOOR

July 2013 Tîrmeh 2713 Ramadan 1434

My wonderful wife, and

My dear son, Yazan.

1. T1…… Negative Control (No antibiotic) : Reared on Standard Ration

were measured in the blood serum of broilers at 27 and 30 days of age

The Overall Data Shows the Following Results:

5. Dietary supplementation with herbs mixture (0.5% ginger + 0.5% thyme)

of antibodies titers against Gumboro (IBD) disease compared to the

In conclusion, dietary supplementation with moderate mixture of

The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Intestinal Microbial

4.2 Body Weight Gain 56

Organs Percentage of Broiler Chicks at 42 Days of Age

Effect of Ginger, Thyme Powders, their Mixture and Antibiotic on

Cholesterol, Triglyceride and Glucose in the Blood Serum of

Antibiotics are widely used in modern livestock and poultry

Herbs and herbal products are incorporated in poultry diets to

made up mostly of lactic-acid producing bacteria (Engberg et al., 2000).

2.1.1 Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)

Ginger, probably, originates from South-East Asia. The ancient

Ginger extracts have shown to exhibit antibacterial activity in in-

2.1.2 Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

Thymol (5-methyl-1-2-isopropyl phenol) and carvacrol (5-isopropyl-

Various estimates have been calculated by the Institute of Medicine

The chemical feed additives (antibiotics) have negative impacts on

(Khachatourians,1998; Kamel, 2001). Bacteria are very adaptable organisms

The scientific ground submitted by Sweden, as well as the

antibiotics in the USA (Hileman, 2002). Finally, the ban of antibiotics in

2.3 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Broiler’s Performance

compared to the control group, being 1829.05g and 2000g respectively

2.3.2 Body Weight Gain

In contrast, Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) noted that supplementation

2.3.3 Feed Consumption

control, being (2243g, 2302g and 2399g) respectively. Using 2 and 6% of

no significant differences in the daily feed intake of broilers drank water

2.3.4 Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

Feed conversion is an index associated with both feed consumption

Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) reported that dietary supplementation in

including control group. Mansoub and Myandoab (2011) showed that

antibiotic groups, which is in agreement with those of Najafi and Torki

2.3.5 Mortality Rate

Mortality rate is defined as the death of birds as a result of many

2.4 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Carcass Cuts and

Ademola et al. (2009) showed that there were no significant

relative breast weight of broiler chickens compared to the control group,

2.5 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Blood Serum

Mohamed et al. (2012) found that cholesterol, triglyceride and

Ademola et al. (2009) used different levels of ginger 1, 1.5 and 2%

Al-Mashhadani et al. (2011) reported that dietary thyme essential oil

2.6 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Humoral Immunity

2.7 The Effect of Ginger and Thyme on Intestinal Microbial

Thyme (extract, oil, and the major components) have shown

Materials and Methods

Ginger and Thyme powders were bought from local market in

3.2 Birds and Experimental Design