The present study was designed to evaluate the growth promoting efficacy of Jerusalem Artichoke (JA) in comparison with yeast Beta-glucan (YBG) on the performance of broiler chickens, with special reference to their hematological, biochemical and histophathological effects. Therefore 120 one day-old (Ross 308) broiler chicks were randomly assigned to two experimental (with JA tuber powder 3% and with YBG 0.03% on ration) and control (without any additives) groups. All chicks had free access to feed and water ad libitum for 6weeks. The obtained results showed that JA showed significantly improved average weight gain (AWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), gizzard index weight, intestinal villi length and width and WBCs count than YBG treated chicks than control chicks. Both experimental groups showed a significant improvement in PCV values, Hb Content, RBCs than the control. Moreover, both experimental groups showed a significant reduction on serum total bilirubin, cholesterol and triglycerides levels than control group. From our results we can conclude both JA and YBG could be used as growth promoting agent on broiler chicks. However, JA was superior to YBG on most productive, hematological, biochemical and histopathological criteria.
Key words: Broiler growth, Jerusalem artichoke, Yeast Beta-glucan.
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