the effect of different levels of algae (spirulina) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, gut microflora, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters in broiler chickens

The effect of different levels of spirulina platensis on growth performance, intestinal morphology, gut microflora and some blood parameters in broiler chickens was investigated in this study. a total of 300 ross 308 broiler chicks with initial weight of 36.28 ± 0.38 g were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 15 broiler chicks in each replicate. experimental diets included control diet (with no additive), 3 levels of algae (1, 1.5, 2 g/kg diet), and the birds were fed by one level of prebiotic (1g/kg diet) as a positive control from 1 to 42 day of age. results showed that feeding broilers with 2g/kg algae feed caused the highest weight gain compared to other experimental groups (p<0.05). the highest feed intake related to treatments include 1.5 and 2 g/kg algae diet and the lowest related to treatment include 2g algae/ kg diet (p<0.05). the concentration of white blood cells, igy, igm, ca and phosphate in blood serum of broilers fed with 2 g/kg alga diet was higher than other groups, however, the concentration of malondialdehyde (mda) was lower (p<0.05). supplementation of diet with alga increased the number of lactobacillus in gut (p<0.05). also, villus height and the ratio of villus height/crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and ileum of broilers fed with 2g/kg algae was higher than other groups (p<0.05). in conclusion, s. platensis improved growth performance, villus height, white blood cell (wbc) count and decreased mda in serum of broiler chickens, so it can be considered as a useful additive in broiler chickens diet.