The effect of ginger powder and Chinese herbal medicine on production performance, serum metabolites and antioxidant status of laying hens under heat-stress condition.

This study was done to evaluate the effects of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and ginger powder on layers-production performance, serum metabolites and antioxidant status under heat stress condition. Two hundred and fifty Lohmann layers were randomly divided into 5 different, including two controls and three experimental groups (H1, H2, and H3). Control groups were fed the basic diet without supplementation, while, the feed of three experimental groups was supplemented with 3.32 g CHM, 10 g ginger powder, and 10 g ginger powder+ 3.32 g CHM per kg of diet, respectively. Results showed that feed consumption and production rate were decreased in the HC group, while, feed intake and production significantly improved when birds were given supplemented diet. The production rate and feed intake of the H3 group were even significantly higher than the NC group. The birds that received supplemented diet had higher glucose level compared to HC. Triglycerides and serum cholesterol had significantly decreased level in supplemented groups compared to HC. Fungal catalase (CAT) level was significantly improved in H2 and H3 groups. Nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and Total Protein (T-AOC) level were significantly improved in supplemented groups. Findings showed that ginger powder and CHM could be a viable alternative to the synthetic antibiotic in poultry feed.