In this feeding trial, a total of 500 Cobb-500 broiler (day-old) chickens were randomly assigned to a control dietary treatment (basal diet only) or supplemented with crushed seeds of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), black cumin (Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B. Fedtsch) and ajwain (Carum copticum L.) (at 10 mg/kg each) and exogenous protease (30,000 IU/kg), respectively, in order to assess the effect of the diets on nutrient digestibility, bone strength and gut morphology. The results indicated that the digestibility coefficients of crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract, calcium and phosphorous were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in protease-treated birds compared to the control. The tibia bone weight was improved (p = 0.03) in Carum copticum, Coriandrum sativum and protease-supplemented birds. Bone length increased (p < 0.05) in protease and Carum copticum fed broilers, while the robusticity index decreased (p < 0.05) in all treatments. Villus length and width decreased (p < 0.05) in Carum copticum and Bunium persicum fed broilers. From findings, it was demonstrated that exogenous protease shows comparatively better results in improving bone quality, ileal digestibility and villus morphology in broilers.

Coccidiosis stands as one of the most prevalent enteric parasitic diseases in broilers. While antibiotics have traditionally been used for the control of coccidiosis, concerns related to drug residues and the emergence of resistance in chickens have prompted consumer apprehensions. In this study, 600 Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into five groups: a control group without specific treatments (NC), broilers deliberately exposed to Eimeria tenella (positive control), broilers challenged with E. tenella but dosed with antibiotics (AT), and two groups experimentally exposed to E. tenella while simultaneously receiving pomegranate peel powder (PPE) at dosages of 3 g/kg (3PPP) and 6 g/kg (6PPP). The results revealed that all Eimeria-treated birds exhibited significantly worse growth performance compared to the NC. Notably, a marked improvement was observed in birds infected with E. tenella when supplemented with 6PPP. Both 3PPP and 6PPP supplementation significantly reduced lesion scores, mortality, and oocysts per gram (OPG). Furthermore, histological examination of the cecum indicated that the villus dimensions were restored by PPP supplementation in infected birds. In conclusion, Eimeria-infected birds supplemented with 6PPP experienced an enhanced growth rate, lowered lesion scores, alleviated oocyst shedding, and improved intestinal histological dimensions.

This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy and growth-promoting potential of Moringa oleifera and Thymus vulgaris methanolic extracts in broiler chickens challenged with Escherichia coli O78. In vitro antibacterial screening using agar well diffusion and disc diffusion assays revealed that ciprofloxacin exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, followed by tetracycline and enrofloxacin, whereas among plant extracts, T. vulgaris was more effective than M. oleifera. The optimal combination (M100T150; 100 mg M. oleifera + 150 mg T. vulgaris) produced the largest inhibition zones against E. coli strains. For the in vivo trial, 540 Ross-308 broiler chicks were distributed into six treatment groups in a completely randomized design and reared for 42 days. Parameters assessed included growth performance, carcass traits, gut pH, ileal microbial counts, and intestinal histomorphology. Results showed that E. coli challenge significantly reduced feed intake, weight gain, carcass yield, and villus integrity while increasing FCR and E. coli counts (p < 0.05). Addition of plant extracts, particularly M100T150, significantly improved weight gain, FCR, Broiler Performance Efficiency Factor (BPEF), and Broiler Farm Economy Index (BFEI) compared to the positive control (p < 0.05). Extracts reduced duodenal and jejunal pH (p < 0.001), suppressed E. coli counts (p = 0.003), and enhanced Lactobacillus populations (p = 0.0004). Histological analysis revealed that extract-supplemented groups had greater villus height and surface area with shallower crypts than the positive control, indicating restoration of gut integrity. These findings suggest that methanolic extracts of M. oleifera and T. vulgaris, particularly in combination, can serve as natural alternatives to antibiotics in broiler production under pathogenic challenge.