Egypt. Poult. Sci. Vol (35) (III): (691-702) (2015) (1584) Egyptian Poultry Science Journal http://www.epsaegypt.com ISSN: 1110-5623 (Print) – 2090-0570 (On line)

BIOLOGYICAL IMMUNE STIMULANTS EFFECTS ON IMMUNE RESPONSE, BEHAVIOURAL AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

Mervat M. Kamel*. M., M. Elhady**, K. G. El Iraqi *, and Fatma, A. Wahba.***

* Fac. of Vet. Med. Veterinary Hygiene and Management Dep., Cairo Univ.

**Fac. of Vet. Med. Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Dep. Cairo Univ.

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different biological immune stimulants; humic acid, β glucan and humic acid, β glucan mixture; on physiology, performance, Behaviour, and immune response to NDV and IB. A total of 540 broiler cobb chicks, were used in this study, housed in experimental unit at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt, with stocking density 10/ m2, using 12 pens, 45 chicks for each . Feed and water were provided ad libitum via trough feeders and bell drinker. Birds were divided into four equal groups. T1, T2, T3, and T4; each of them 135 chicks, three replicates, (45 each). T1 control group didn’t receive any supplement, T2 group receive humax® (consists of 200 mg humate /ml) in drinking water, T3 group took meduline® (consists of 100mg β glucan /ml), T4 receive blue Immune® (consists of 100 mg humate and 50 mg β glucan /ml); all given day after day 0.5 cm/liter drinking water. Data collected were, productive performance (final body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate and European performance index, behavioral measurements; (feeding behaviour, drinking behaviour, leg and wing stretching, preening, leg scratch and resting behaviour), oxidative stress parameter and antibodies titer for NDV and IB was estimated. Results revealed significance different between different immune stimulant as humic acid either alone or in combination with β glucan recorded lower feed intake, lower feed conversion ratio, higher feeding percentage, higher drinking and welfare indices, in the same time immune responses toward NDV was the same in T2 and T4 while antibodies titer against IBV did not differed. Conclusively, it was obvious that with humic acid alone or plus β glucan has a positive effect on physiology, performance, behaviour and immune response of broiler.

Key Words: Immunostimulant, Behaviour, Oxidative stress, Humate, β glucan

Corresponding author: Mevy58@yahoo.com