1Abbes Laghrour University of Khenchela, PB 1252 road of Batna, Khenchela, 40004, Algeria
2Epidemiological Surveillance Laboratory Health, Productions and Reproduction, Domestic and Wild Animals Experimentation and Cell Therapy, El Tarf University, Algeria
3Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, University of Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria
*Corresponding Author: Abdelghafour Abaidia, Abbes Laghrour University of Khenchela, PB 1252 road of Batna, Khenchela, 40004, Algeria, Email: abaidia.abdelghafour@univ-khenchela.dz
Online published on 20 January, 2026.
The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of thyme powder (Thymus algeriensis), as feed additive, on some zootechnical performances as well as hematobiochemical parameters of broilers.
A total of 96 Cobb 500 broilers of one day of age, were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups and 4 replicates with 6 birds per pen were reared till 48 days of age. Treatments were: T1 fed witha basal diet without thyme powder (control group), T2, T3 and T4 were fed a basal diet supplement with 1%, 2% and 3% of thyme powder respectively. Weekly measurements were made of body weight and weight gain. On the forty-fifth day of the study, blood samples were collected in order to evaluate the blood profile and calculate the white blood cell percentage.
The inclusion of 3% thyme powder increased significantly broiler body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Birds of T4 increased significantly (P<0.05) their heart and thigh weight. Hematobiochemical parameters in broilers, particularly on levels of various white blood cell subtypes and uric acid levels.The use of this plant endemic to arid and semi-arid regions as a feed additive is considered an alternative to the use of antibiotic.
Endemic aromatic plant, Feed additive, Growth, Poultry nutrition
