Abstract

Background:
Arabic gum is a soluble fiber that acts as a natural prebiotic and can be fermented by intestinal bacteria. This characteristic can enhance broiler growth, blood biomarkers, and carcass traits.

Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Arabic gum (AG) on growth performance traits, carcass characteristics, blood biochemistry, cecal microbial load, and economic efficiency in Ross 308 broilers raised under a small-scale production system.

Methods:
Five treatment groups were randomly assigned, with each group consisting of 6 replicates of 15 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks, totaling 450 chicks. The first group served as the control (CON) and received only the basal diet, whereas the second, third, fourth, and fifth groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0% AG, respectively. The experiment was continued until 42 days of age.

Results:
Supplementation with AG at all levels, especially a level of 1.0% AG, significantly (p < 0.05) improved live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and performance index. Carcass traits were also significantly enhanced (p < 0.05), and carcass, breast, and thigh yields were significantly increased, whereas bursa percentage decreased. Blood biochemical parameters were markedly improved; the AG-treated groups exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, immunoglobulins (IgM, IgA, and IgY), antioxidant enzymes, and liver enzymes compared with the CON group, along with reduced urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde levels. AG also significantly (p < 0.05) altered cecal microbiota; the 1.0% group showed the highest total bacterial counts and Lactobacillus populations.

Conclusion:
AG supplementation in broiler diets may improve intestinal flora, immunity, antioxidant activity, and overall productivity.

Key words: Antioxidant enzymes; Blood biochemistry; Carcass traits; Cecal microbiota; Feed conversion ratio.