KSÜ Doğa Bilimleri Dergisi

Öz

ABSTRACT: In the last decade, there has been growing interest in the use of natural herbs and medicinal plants as feed additives in poultry diets to maximize their potential output. The European Union banned the use of antibiotic feed additives and the scientists are trying to find alternatives, one of the best options is herbs. Researchers particularly look for medicinal herbs that can affect such parameters as growth or treatment of certain diseases. .Medicinal plants have been used in poultry diets as feed additives to increase poultry performance, health and the quality of their products and their extracts have been tested in the diets of poultry as potential alternatives to antibiotics on growth promotion. Also, poultry has seen the greatest increase in production and gain, this trend will likely continue. Both poultry meat and eggs are well positioned to meet demands for increased supply from our growing world population. The interest to use the medical plants is mainly due to safety and healthy for human and less cost of herbs compared with synthetic chemical drugs and some of them decrease the level of serum lipids and lead to improve immune function in humans and also for animals. Therefore, The aim of this review is to evaluate information on the use of medical herbs including Sumac (Zingiber officinale) and Ginger (Rhus coriaria L.) as feed additives, with the emphasis on  to improve poultry performance (laying hens and broiler). However, a systematic approach toward the efficacy and safety of phytogenic compounds used as feed additives for poultry is still lacking.

Key Words: feed additive, ginger, poultry nutrition, sumac