The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary Euphorbia hirta and an acidifier mixture supplementation on gut morphology and some blood parameters of broiler chickens.A total of 240 day old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one ofthe four dietary treatment groups including: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + 7.5 g/kg E. hirta (Eh7.5), (3) basal diet + 1.5 g/kg acidifier (OA) and (4) basal diet + 7.5 g/kg E. hirta and1.5 g/kg acidifier (EhOA). The Eh 7.5, OA and EhOA supplementation significantly improved overall feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. The addition ofEh 7.5, OA and their combination increased the villus height compare to the control birds. Crypt depth was markedly decreased by OA treatment. The highest ratio of villi to crypt was observed in OA fed broilers. Blood serum biochemical parameters did not influenced by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, the results indicated thataddition of Eh 7.5 and OA to the broiler diet enhanced maintenance and function of the small intestine and broiler performance. Manuscript profile

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of in ovoinjection of royal jelly (RJ) on growth performance and immune response in broiler chickens challenged with Newcastle disease virus. A total of 200 hatching eggs were divided into four groups of 50 eggs each one using a completely randomized design. The eggs were injected with sterilized sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH=10.4) or RJ (88%) in a 0.3 mL volume into the albumen at d 7 of incubation. A non-injected control and a dry punch control (shell pricked without injecting solution; needle) were included. Chicks hatched from the respective treatment group were reared in floor pens until d 28. The chickens were challenged against Newcastle disease virus on days 7 and 21. On d 21, the chickens emanatedfrom the RJ injected egg had the highest body weight. In ovo injection of RJ had a significant effect on feed intake in broiler chickens during starter period (d 1 to 21) and throughout the trial (d 1 to 28; P<0.05). On d 14, serum antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was not significantly different among treatments. On d 14 and 28, heterophil and lymphocyte number and their ratio were affected by in ovo injection. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that in ovo injection of RJ on d 7 of incubation exerted a beneficial effect on growth in starter phase and could stimulate feed intakein broiler chickenschallenged with Newcastle disease virus, although the antibody titer against NDV was notinfluenced. Manuscript profile