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ABSTRACTWe investigated the impact of green tea powder (GTP) as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance and gut health in broilers. A total of 340 one-day-old broilers were assigned to four dietary treatments as control (free of antibiotic), antibiotic, GTP 0.5 g/kg (GTP-1) and GTP 1 g/kg (GTP-2). Overall, the antibiotic group demonstrated significantly (P < 0.05) higher feed intake, weight gain, lower feed conversion ratio and better dressing percentage compared to the GTP groups, and the control group had the lowest values. GTP-1 showed the highest (P < 0.05) villus height (VH), followed by the antibiotic group and GTP-2, while the control group had the lowest villus height. The control group displayed a higher (P < 0.05) crypt depth, followed by GTP-2, while the antibiotic group and GTP-1 had significantly (P < 0.05) lower crypt depth. The villus height to crypt depth ratio was significantly higher in GTP-1, followed by similar values in the antibiotic group and GTP-2, while the control group had the lowest ratio (P < 0.05). From the results of the present study, we concluded that GTP at the level of 0.5 g/kg of feed is an excellent dose vis-à-visantibiotic in broiler for optimum growth performance and gut health.

ABSTRACTAmidst increasing concerns regarding the incorporation of non-traditional protein sources in poultry diets as replacements for protein sources vital for human consumption, such as soybean meal, the utilization of Azolla leaf meal has garnered significant attention and popularity. The experiment commenced with 192 Japanese quail chicks (one day old), originated from a single hatch. Each chick was individually weighed and then randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, namely control, supplementation of Azolla at the rate of 20 g/kg (Azolla 20), 40 g/kg (Azolla 40), and 60 g/kg (Azolla 60). Weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and dressing percentage were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Azolla 40 and Azolla 60 compared to the control. No significant (P > 0.05) difference was found in antibody titre against New Castle disease virus, maleanodialdehyde (MDA) and faecal E. coliexcretion. Further, villus height, crypt depth and ratio between them improved significantly (P < 0.05) in Azolla 60 compared to the control. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated a favourable impact of incorporating Azolla meal into the Japanese quail diet, leading to improved growth rates attributed to its positive influence on intestinal morphology. However, no significant effects were observed on immune response, lipid peroxidation, or faecal E. colilevels.