Influence of Using Sage Powder (Salvia officinalis) on Performance, Blood Cells, Immunity Titers, Biochemical Parameters and Small Intestine Morphology in Broiler Chickens

An experiment was performed to investigate the effect of using sage powder (Salvia officinalis) on performance, blood cells, immunity titers, biochemical parameters and small intestine morphology in broiler chickens. A total of 200 Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates and ten chicks in each replicate. Experiment has been done from 1 to 42 days old. The experimental groups consisted of a control group receiving basal diet and basal diet supplemented with 0.2, 0.5 and, 1.2% of sage powder. The results of the experiment revealed that supplementation of 0.5% of salvia powder significantly (P=0.05) increased body weight (BW) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR). An increase in eosinophil, monocyte and, heterophil as well as immunity titers against Newcastle disease and avian influenza viruses were observed where in the control diet was supplement with 0.2% of Salvia powder. The plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration were reduced and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration was increased significantly by inclusion of 0.2% sage powder. Additionally, ileal villus height and intestinal health index was increased and the number of gablet cells and crypt depth was reduced significantly (P=0.05) by incorporation of 0.2% sage powder in basal diet. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.2-0.5% sage powder had meaningful impact on broiler performance, ileal morphology and vaccine titer against Newcastle disease and avian influenza.