Veterinaria

Review paper

Effect of garlic on the health and performance of broilers

Zaib ur Rehman a, Muhammad Tanveer Munir b*

a Department of Poultry Science, FV&AS, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. 46300, Pakistan

b Poultry and Wildlife Section, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. 46000, Pakistan

Abstract

Antibiotic growth promoters have been extensively used in the poultry feed to improve weight gain, feed efficiency, lessen the number of harmful bacteria, enhance immunity etc. However, they have role in development of the resistance in the pathogenic bacteria and impose negative impact on the consumers due to residues. Medicinal plants are the best replacement option of ABGP. Garlic is the king of the medicinal plants which have growth promoting effect in chicken production. It has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiprotozoal properties. Moreover, it boosts the immune system, improves the body weight gain, heighten the digestibility of ingredients, decrease the bad cholesterol, and also augment the meat quality parameters. This article describes the detail about the use of garlic in poultry feed which can enhance the productivity and can attain the growth promotion potential without causing adverse effects unlike antibiotic growth promoters.

Keywords: Garlic, Poultry, Feed, Immunity, Growth promoter

Received May 15, 2015; Revised June 19, 2015; Accepted June 28, 2015

*Corresponding author: Muhammad Tanveer Munir; E-mail: muhammadtanveermunir765@gmail.com