title: Effects of a blend of essential oil compounds and benzoic acid on performance of broiler chickens as revealed by a meta-analysis of 4 growth trials in various locations.
abstract: A series of growth trials with broiler chicks was conducted in various geographical locations to evaluate the efficacy of a novel eubiotic feed additive (EFA) at various dietary inclusion levels on performance of growing chicks. The EFA product consisted of a blend of essential oil compounds (thymol, eugenol, piperine) with benzoic acid, all belonging to the group of flavoring substances. Although variable in responses, the overall results indicated that 300 mg/kg of this EFA represented an optimum supplementation dose for generation of beneficial performance effects in broilers. A meta-analysis with all data from the 300 mg/kg EFA-supplemented treatments in comparison with the non-supplemented controls revealed that the eubiotic product significantly improved BW on d 21 (+2.0%; P = 0.0021) and on d 42 (+1.4%; P = 0.0151). Furthermore, the birds on the EFA 300 mg/kg treatment expressed a higher average daily gain in the starter phase (d 1-21; +2.1%; P = 0.0023) and over the entire experimental period (d 1-42; +1.5%; P = 0.0154). Feed conversion ratio was more favorable with dietary EFA supplementation (-0.6%; P = 0.0414), when compared with the control birds. Mortality was considered normal and was not affected by the dietary treatment (control = 3.09%; EFA 300 mg/kg = 3.26%). In conclusion, 300 mg/kg of this new eubiotic product demonstrated to effectively improve performance of broiler chicks under various husbandry conditions.
authors.affiliation: DSM Nutritional Products, Nutrition Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland. gilbert.weber@dsm.com
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michalczuk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huyghebaert
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Juin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kwakernaak
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gracia
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D019817:Benzoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D019817:Benzoic Acid