Effect of Sumac (Rhus Coriaria L.) Fruit Powder as an Antibiotic Growth Promoter Substitution on Growth Performance, Immune Responses and Serum Lipid Profile of Broiler Chicks

Objective: The experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of different levels of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) fruit powder as an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) substitution on performance, immune responses and serum lipid profile of broiler chicks. Materials and Methods: A totally of 260 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments. The treatments consisted of basal diet (control) and basal diet with AGP (flavophospholipol), 3 or 7 g/kg sumac powder. Results: Feed consumption in broilers fed 3 and 7 g/kg sumac powder significantly decreased (P < 0.05) but weight gain were not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was significantly improved in broilers fed 7 g/kg sumac powder compared to AGP and control (P < 0.05). Antibody titres against sheep red blood cell (SRBC), New castle diseases virus (NDV) and Avian Influenza virus (AIV) were not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Improvement in heterophile to lymphocyte ratio were observed in broilers fed 7 g/kg sumac powder and AGP (P < 0.05). Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol were not affected by treatments (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggested that dietary inclusion of 7 g/kg sumac powder can be applied as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics for broiler chick diets.