Abstract

A study was conducted with 140 "Ross" broilers (1-day old) having four treatments to know the potentiality of Eosungcho, Houttuynia cordata with probiotics (HCP) and suitable level in replacing antibiotic. The groups were control (basal diet), antibiotic (basal diet + 0.05% OTC) and HCP 0.5 and 1.0% with basal diet. The birds were arranged in a completely randomized design having 5 replications with 7 chicks per replication in wire cage. Addition of feed additives in the diet did not show negative effect on growth and feed conversion efficiency in broilers. Significantly, highest protein percentage in broiler meat fed 1.0% HCP was recorded compared to control (p<0.05). Crude fat significantly reduced in 1.0% HCP like antibiotic compared to control group (p<0.05). The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value of meat in antibiotic and HCP groups showed significantly lower value compared to control (p<0.05). No mortality was observed in 1.0% HCP added diet compared to other groups. Although, no difference in internal organs among the groups were observed except large intestine weight. Significantly, lowest large intestinal weight was found in antibiotic and 1.0% HCP addition diet were found (p<0.05). Considering the findings, addition of 1.0% Eusungcho (Houttuynia cordata) with multi strain probiotics can be replaceable to antibiotic for broiler production.

Key words: Eusungcho probiotics, oxytetracycline (OTC), crude protein, thiobarbituric acid (TBA).