Effects of different levels of Aloe vera gel as an alternative to antibiotic on performance and ileum morphology in broilers
2011
Ali Mahdavi | Ahmad Zare Shahneh | Abolfazl Zarei | Babak Darabighane
The present study attempts to analyze the effects of different levels of <em>Aloe vera</em> gel as an alternative to antibiotic, on performance and ileum morphology in broilers. Three hundred one-day old Ross 308 male broilers were used on a completely randomized design in 5 groups with 4 replicates, each consisting of 15 broilers. The groups included the control group (basal diet) and three groups with basal diet mixed with different levels of <em>Aloe vera</em> gel (1.5%, 2% and 2.5%). Finally, there was a group with basal diet plus 15 ppm antibiotic virginiamycin. The results obtained regarding performance of the broilers showed that <em>Aloe vera</em> gel groups brought about higher body weight gain and feed intake compared to the control group; however, no significant difference was observed in feed conversion ratio between the groups treated by <em>Aloe vera</em> gel and the control group (P>0.05). Although the antibiotic group showed better performance and heavier dressing percentage than the <em>Aloe vera</em> gel and the control groups, no significant difference was seen between the group treated by 2% <em>Aloe vera</em> gel and the antibiotic group regarding body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and dressing percentage (P>0.05). Among the <em>Aloe vera</em> gel groups, the 2% <em>Aloe vera</em> gel group had the largest villus height and the greatest villus height to crypt depth ratio compared to the antibiotic group (P<0.05). In general, 2% <em>Aloe vera</em> gel treatment may be recommended to achieve the best performance in broilers as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter.
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