In the latest European research on certain aromatic plants and medicinal spices:

1. Chili pepper containing Capsicum extract

• Increases the activity of digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase
• Increases feed digestion
• Reduces heat stress
• Increases water intake and vascularization

2. Wild thyme extract (Carvacrol)

• Increases the growth of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus)
• Has the ability to ferment fiber in the colon, producing volatile fatty acids

3. Cinnamaldehyde (natural cinnamon extract)

• Protects the intestinal villi from toxins
• Antioxidant; induces catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes
• Increases the size of intestinal villi responsible for absorption

Conclusion

In broilers:

• Improves productive performance
• Increases daily weight gain by 5.4%
• Increases breast muscle by 3.5%
• Reduces intestinal viscosity by 14%
• Limits the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens

In turkeys:

• Increases body weight by 3.5%
• Improves breast muscle weight by 6.5%

In layers:

• Improves egg quality
• Increases production by 3.5%
• Improves egg mass by 4.5%
• Increases eggshell strength by 8%

In breeders:

• Improves production and bird vitality
• Increases hatchability by 3%
• Increases the number of chicks per hen
• Reduces mortality by up to 6.5%

Basil

1. Adding dried basil to feed at 3–5 kg per ton has a strong effect on body weight and feed conversion ratio.
2. Adding 4 kg per ton and measuring immune titers shows a strong immune-enhancing effect.
3. Adding 9 kg per ton of feed makes basil a powerful antioxidant.
4. Adding basil at 2 kg/ton of feed or 2 kg per ton of drinking water increases feed intake.
5. Adding basil at 5 kg/ton of feed markedly reduces oocysts throughout the production cycle.
6. Basil at 12 kg per ton treats coccidiosis.

In laying hens:
Adding 3 kg per ton of feed reduces fat deposition and ovarian cysts, increases production, and reduces mortality rates.

If basil is used daily in drinking water:

1. Add 500 g to warm water; after 30 minutes add to drinking water to be consumed within 8 hours.
2. Add lemon juice.
3. Add thyme.
   This will give the same results as feed inclusion.

Scientifically

Basil combats many bacteria, most importantly:
Listeria, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli

In addition, it affects pathogenic bacteria such as:
Enterococcus, Pseudomonas

These bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics due to their high ability to mutate and produce antibiotic-resistant strains.

Dr. Hossam Farghaly
Poultry Diseases Consultant