Effects of Compound Chinese Herbal Medicine Additive on Growth Performance and Gut Microbiota Diversity of Zi Goose

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Responsible use of antibiotics is essential to the health of animals and humans. Chinese herbs are good alternative to antibiotics, with safe ingredients and no drug synthetic compound residues in tissues. Compared with the use of single herbs, the rational combination of multiple herbs can produce synergistic effects, while achieving improved economic benefits. The specific Compound Chinese Herbal Medicine Additive (CCHMA) used in this study consisted of Astragalus, Licorice, Radix Codonopsis, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Angelica Sinensis, Atractylodis and Cimicfugae Rhizoma in the ratio of 6:6:4:3:3:1:1. The results showed that CCHMA had no adverse effects on Zi goose. At the same time, CCHMA improved the performance parameters of Zi goose and eliminated the risk of antibiotic residues in meat. ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of CCHMA on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical indicators, intestinal morphology and microbiota of Zi goose. Initially, it was determined the optimal addition concentration of CCHMA to be 3 g/kg by the first feeding experiment. Then, 78 Zi geese were divided into control and CCHMA supplemented groups. The results showed that the body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) of the CCHMA supplemented group was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the feed/gain (F/G) of the CCHMA supplemented group was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. The dressed yield percentage in the CCHMA supplemented group significantly increased by 0.78% (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly lower in the CCHMA fed birds than in the control group (p < 0.05). Further, 16S rDNA gene sequencing conducted for cecal flora composition found that 3 g/kg CCHMA significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (CHKCI001, Colidextribacter and Subdoligranulum) (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) and suppressing harmful bacteria (Bacteroidetes and Methanobrevibacter) (p < 0.05) in the cecum of Zi goose. In conclusion, adding 3 g/kg of CCHMA in the diet can improve the growth performance, slaughter performance of Zi goose, and optimize the cecum microflora.