Enhancing meat-type chicken performance through Thymus vulgaris leaf powder supplementation by affecting serum lipid profile, stress physiology, immunity, antioxidants, cecal microbiology, and jejunal histomorphology

This study investigates the potential of Thymus vulgaris as feed additive in broiler chicken. A total of 200 Vencobb male broiler chicks 1 week of age were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatments: T1 (control) fed basal diet only, T2 (basal diet +1 % thyme powder), T3 (basal diet +1.5 % thyme powder), and T4 (basal diet +2 % thyme powder). Each group contained 5 replicates, and each replicate had 10 birds fed with a maize–soybean-based diet for 42 d. Our results show that during the overall period (7–42 d), the T4 group exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight gain (BWG) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). Supplementing thyme powder significantly (p<0.05) decreased the levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides (LDL) compared to the control group. Birds receiving dietary thyme powder at a 2 % dose (T4) had significantly (p<0.05) raised serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and better anti-SRBC (sheep red blood cell) titre and cell-mediated immunity. Supplementation of thyme powder resulted in significantly (p<0.05) better antioxidant status in birds. Regarding the cecal microbiology, coliforms decreased (p<0.05) and lactobacilli increased (p<0.05) notably in thyme groups with high significance in the T4 group. Jejunal villus height increased significantly (p<0.05) in the T4 group compared to the control. In conclusion, supplementation of thyme powder at 2 % could serve as promising feed additive for improving the production performance and gut health of broiler chicken.