The poultry industry is continually exploring new feed additives to enhance poultry productivity and health. Since the European Union’s (EU) 2006 ban on antibiotics as growth promoters, alternative methods have become essential to support health and growth in livestock production. In response, various strategies have been developed to replace nutritional antibiotics, aiming to combat antibiotic resistance and manage diseases that would otherwise require antibiotic intervention. One promising alternative is the incorporation of organic acids (OAs) and their salts as feed additives in poultry farming. Organic acids improve feed palatability, reduce pH levels in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of birds, activate digestive enzymes, and inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms while preserving beneficial microflora. These acids enhance avian metabolism, improve feed digestibility, and accelerate growth. Additionally, organic acids support overall bird health, a key factor affecting productivity traits and, consequently, the economic performance and profitability of poultry farming. This article examines the potential applications of organic acids in poultry nutrition.

The production of grain-based bioethanol is increasing due to the rising demand for biofuels and the global decline in fossil fuel sources. Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from corn or wheat are the main by-product of bioethanol fermentation, primarily through dry milling technology, and have been used as low-cost animal feed. With the increase in ethanol production from grains, the production of DDGS from corn or wheat also increases. Several studies have found that DDGS has high nutritional value but variable composition, and researchers have found ways to enhance its quality and safety. Various approaches have been proposed to improve the digestibility and nutritional value of DDGS. However, despite its high nutritional value, DDGS has not yet been fully studied and is less utilized in broiler feeding. The benefits and risks associated with the use of DDGS have been studied for a long time, but more research is needed to establish quality and safety standards for DDGS. This review aims to highlight the challenges of using DDGS in broiler chicken nutrition.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in incorporating phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) into broiler chicken diets as potential alternatives to traditional growth-promoting additives. This study evaluated the economics of individually incorporating either six different dried herbs or their essential oils into broiler diets: chamomile, rosemary, lavender, oregano, thyme, and St. John's wort. A total of 390 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into 13 groups of 30 chicks with three replicates (10 chicks/replicate). One group received a basal diet (control group), while the others received a basal diet supplemented with 2% of each dried herb (E1-E6 groups) or 0.02% of their essential oils (E7-E12 groups) for 39 days. The parameters measured were feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed costs, economic efficiency and European Broiler Index (EBI). The results showed better economic efficiency with 2% dried St. John's wort herb, as well as 0.02% St. John's wort, rosemary, thyme or lavender essential oils compared to the other treatments (P0.05). Unsatisfactory results were observed with dry lavender herb and essential oils of chamomile or oregano, which resulted in a significant decrease in net income and economic efficiency due to higher feed costs per kilogram live weight (P0.05). These results suggest that while certain PFAs can improve economic efficiency, their overall effect is variable and some may not outperform traditional growth promoters.

Background: In recent years, interest in the use of probiotics and phytogenic supplements in animal husbandry has grown significantly to improve animal health and productivity. Aim: This study evaluates the effects of dietary supplementation with a probiotic alone and in combination with three medicinal herbs - milk thistle (Silybum marianum), nettle (Urtica dioica), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), on growth performance, biochemical blood and key innate immune parameters in broiler chickens. Methods: An experimental, completely randomized design was conducted with 180 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers, allocated into three groups of 60 birds each with 3 replications. The feeding trial lasted from day 1 to 42 days of age. The groups were: basal diet (control), basal diet + probiotic, and basal diet + probiotic + herbs. Key parameters included body weight, blood biochemical indicators, and immune markers. Results: Supplementation with probiotic and herbs significantly improved broiler growth during days 1–14 and 29–42 (P < 0.05), with the highest values observed in the group receiving the combined supplementation. Biochemical parameters, including glucose, total protein, and lipids, showed favorable changes in the supplemented groups. Immune indicators (APCA, lysozyme, beta-lysins) were increased in the third group compared to the control. Conclusion: The combined supplementation of probiotics and herbs positively affects growth and the immune system in broilers. The results support the potential of this combination as a natural alternative to antibiotics for improving poultry health and productivity. Future studies should assess the effects in larger flocks, with different additive doses, and include a comparative antibiotic group to more precisely determine their efficacy and practical applicability.