Optimization of level of feeding herbal preparation in reducing faecal bacterial load in layer chicken

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to optimize the level of feeding of the herbal preparation (Ocimum sanctum, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Trigonella foenum graceum and Curcuma longa) in different doses @ 0.1percent, 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent in layer feed to reduce the faecal total bacterial count, faecal coliform count and screening for the presence of E. coli. The study was conducted in eleven weeks old Lohman breed growers at 11 weeks of age with 20 birds per group. Control group was fed only with the regular feed without any herbal preparation and the treatment groups I, II and III were fed with the herbal preparation in different levels as mentioned above in the regular feed. The experimental trial was conducted for twenty one days and the data were collected from a sample of six birds from each group. There was a significant reduction (p