Articles | Volume 69, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-205-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-205-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Effects of essential oil blend supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response, villus histology and cecal microbiota in broilers
Nisar Muhammad Khan
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
Muhammad Tahir
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
Shabana Naz
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Zoology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Rifat Ullah Khan
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Physiology Lab, College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
Rasha Alonaizan
Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Rasha K. Al-Akeel
Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Ala Abudabos
Department of Food and Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
Raed M. Al-Atiyat
Molecular Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Animal Sci. Dep., Agriculture Faculty, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan
Ihteshamul Haq
Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
Ibrahim A. Alhidary
Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abdul Hafeez, Waseem Akram, Hanan Al-Khalaifah, Shabana Naz, Rifat Ullah Khan, Vincenzo Tufarelli, and Ibrahim A. Alhidary
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 485–495, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-485-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-485-2025, 2025
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Using 900 Hubbard broilers, results showed that enzyme treatment and fermentation improved weight gain and FCRs (feed conversion ratios). Fermentation at 6 % and 12 % was optimal, while 18 % had negative effects. Carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, and bone strength improved, with reduced triglycerides in fermented groups, enhancing broiler productivity.
Shah Murad Khan, Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Ibrahim Abdullah Alhidary, Naseer Khan Momand, and Ruchi Tiwari
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 89–100, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-89-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-89-2025, 2025
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Among 180 cows studied postpartum, F2 cows had the highest milk yield (183.9 L per week) and the highest serum glucose. F1 cows showed the best reproductive performance. Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows had the highest somatic cell count, indicating higher mastitis risk. Crossbreeding with Sahiwal improved milk production and reproductive health.
Asad Sultan, Tariq Aziz, Ziaul Islam, Muhammad Shahkar Uzair, Ibrahim Abdullah Alhindary, Rifat Ullah Khan, and Ruchi Tiwari
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 571–581, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-571-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-571-2024, 2024
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A total of 400 day-old quails were assigned to four treatments: control, 0 %, 0 .01 %, and 0.02 % ginger phyto-protease. Over 42 d, significant improvements in feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, villus height and width, and nutrient digestibility were observed, especially at 0.02 % enzyme inclusion. This suggests that 0.02 % ginger phyto-protease optimizes quail performance.
Ziaul Islam, Muhammad Ikram, Shabana Naz, Asad Sultan, Kamran Khan, Ibrahim A. Alhidary, Ruchi Tiwari, and Rifat Ullah Khan
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 493–502, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-493-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-493-2024, 2024
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Overall, supplementing quail diets with selenium-enriched yeast (SY) at 3.5 mg kg-1 led to improved growth, health, and selenium content in eggs and meat, indicating its potential as a beneficial dietary additive.
Momin Khan, Naila Chand, Sarzamin Khan, Shabana Naz, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Ananthanarayanan Chandrasekaran, and Rifat Ullah Khan
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 247–257, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-247-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-247-2024, 2024
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A total of 1000 Ross-308 broilers were evenly divided into four groups. One group served as a control and was fed a basal diet, while three experimental groups were given diets with soybean replacement at 10%, 20% and 30%. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, hematology, serum metabolites and organoleptic characteristics. Consequently, it can be concluded that maggot meal can be included in the broiler diet up to 30%.
Riaz Khan, Muhammad Tahir, Shabana Naz, Ibrahim A. Alhidary, Shamsuddin Shamsi, Sifa Dai, Rifat Ullah Khan, and Vincenzo Tufarelli
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 73–80, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-73-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-73-2024, 2024
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A total of 250 unsexed 1 d old broilers were allocated to five distinct treatment groups. Poppy seed meal was incorporated into the diets at varying levels: 0% (PSM0), 5% (PSM5), 10% (PSM10), 15% (PSM15), and 20% (PSM20). The findings indicated that growth performance, including weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), was significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the PSM20 group compared to the control group.
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Short summary
This study evaluated essential oil (EO) blend supplementation (0–2 mL/kg feed) in broilers. The 2 mL/kg group showed higher feed intake, weight gain, improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), enhanced nutrient digestibility, and elevated antibody titers against viral diseases, indicating that this EO level effectively supports growth, nutrient utilization, and immunity.
This study evaluated essential oil (EO) blend supplementation (0–2 mL/kg feed) in...