Phytogenic Ingredients from Hops and Organic Acids Improve Selected Indices of Welfare, Health Status Markers, and Bacteria Composition in the Caeca of Broiler Chickens

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The selection for the rapid growth rate in broiler chickens that has been carried out over the years has negatively influenced their health and welfare status. In recent years, a number of reports have been delivered on the use of additives that improve broilers’ intestinal peristalsis and production results. The authors of this paper have proved that applying a mixture with 50% hops (manifesting strong antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties) may bring benefits to the quantity and quality of the final product. This may refer to the production performance, flock health status, and welfare of birds. The thematic scope of this research is currently of significant importance, as veterinary inspections pay particular attention to the quality of litter and the welfare of birds, and this motivates producers to improve breeding conditions, which will contribute to better production systems. ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the influence of phytogenic product-supplemented, organic acid-supplemented, and prebiotic-supplemented diets on the production results, antioxidative status, and selected welfare indices in broiler chickens. A total of 1155 one-day old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Group C, no additives; Group A, supplemented with phytogenic supplement (50% hop); and Group P, supplemented with 65% organic acids and their salts, and 30% prebiotic complex. Health condition and production results were monitored during the entire experiment. After 42 days, 10 birds from each dietary treatment group were selected for blood sampling and slaughter analysis. The results obtained revealed that over the whole feeding period, none of the investigated additives significantly affected broiler performance indices. However, feeding the birds treatment-A increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium in caecal digesta compared to the other treatments, whereas feeding treatment-P increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus compared to the control treatment. Overall, treatment-A was more effective at increasing relative abundance of Clostridia in birds at 42 days of age than treatment-P. Finally, there were no changes in blood levels of antioxidant indices or liver function indicators.