The effects of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaf powder supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, meat lipid oxidation and some blood parameters of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluated the effects of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaf powder (LLP) on performance, thigh and breast meat lipid oxidation and chemical composition, some internal organs, digestive tract parts and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 144 d-old mix-sexed chicks were weighed and randomly assigned to four experimental groups with three replicates of 12 chicks (6 ♀and 6 ♂) each. Treatments were as follows: (i) basal diet-no additive (control), (ii) basal diet+1 g/kg LLP, (iii) basal diet + 5 g/kg LLP and (iv) basal diet+ 10 g/kg LLP. The results revealed that over entire the experimental period body weight and body weight gain increased by LLP supplementation (P<0.01). Feed intake of birds enhanced (P<0.05) whilst feed conversion ratio and chemical composition thigh meat were not significant affected by LLP concentration (P>0.05). Liver weight increased with 10 g/kg LLP (P<0.001) and the weight of ileum + jejunum increased with 5 and 10 g/kg LLP (P<0.01). Breast dry matter (P<0.05) and glucose (P<0.05) with LLP treatment, the TBARS values of breast and thigh meat decreased (P<0.001). As a result, LLP supplementation in broiler diets can be advised because it lowers lipid oxidation in the meat and has a positive effect on performance.