The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding Amaranthus hybridus chlorostachys grain (AG) with (+E) and without enzyme (−E) on performance, egg quality, antioxidant status and lipid profile of blood serum and yolk cholesterol in laying hens. A total of 960 white leghorn (Hy-line W-36) commercial layers (56 weeks) were divided into 10groups with 8 replicates per group (12 birds per replicate, including 3 adjacent cages with 4 birds each). A completely randomized design was implemented with a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of five levels of AG (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g/kg) and two levels of multienzyme complex addition (0 −E and 0.25 +E g/kg) fed to the hens for 12 weeks (2 wk. adaptation + 10 wk. main experiment). Feed intake (FI) and percentage of hen day production (HDP) were not affected by main effect of the AG level, but egg mass (EM) and egg weight (EW) were decreased (p < 0.01), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was impaired (p < 0.01). EM, EW and FCR were improved by enzyme addition (p < 0.01). EM, EW and FCR were affected (p < 0.01) by the interaction of AG and enzyme addition. The highest value of EM and the lowest value of FCR were observed in hens on the diet containing 200 g/kg AG with enzyme addition. Egg yolk cholesterol content was reduced (p < 0.05) by up to 10% with increasing levels AG in experimental diets. The egg quality traits, including Haugh units of protein quality, strength and shell thickness, were not affected by the main effects or interaction of AG and enzyme consumption. Amaranth feeding led to a decrease (p < 0.05) in triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) while also promoting increases (p < 0.05) in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the blood. A comparison of the effects of contrasts showed that functional parameters (except FI), yolk cholesterol, antioxidant parameters (except MDA) and blood lipid profile had differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the hens fed amaranth versus those not fed amaranth. These findings indicate that feeding a diet containing up to 200 g/kg of AG with enzyme addition can improve EW, EM and FCR. Feeding laying hens diets containing AG also positively influenced blood traits and antioxidant status in laying hens while reducing egg yolk cholesterol content.

In modern industrial broiler poultry farming, the issue of combating the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in the process of growing poultry is being actively addressed. Currently, scientists are looking for an alternative solution to the issue of eliminating the use of antibiotics for prophylactic purposes. In this connection, researchers are intensively working on the development of innovative feed additives that can solve the problem with the immunostatus of the organism of poultry grown in conditions of great crowding. The article discloses the data of experimental experience on the use of new innovative lactulose-containing additives of domestic origin "Kumelakt-1" and "Laktuvet-1". Their positive effect on the morpho-biochemical parameters of the blood and the resistance of the poultry organism has been established. This information allows to predict in vivo the indicators of the safety of the poultry population and are indicators of the quality of the products obtained. New lactulose-containing innovative additives as a regulator of intestinal microflora improved the morpho-biochemical blood index and increased the resistance of the poultry organism. Namely: increased on average in I and II experimental groups in comparison with the control group, the hemoglobin index by 9.7%, erythrocytes by 10.8%, hematocrit by 5.6%. An increase in the level of urea in the blood serum was established by 10.4 and 9.7% (P <0.01), glucose - by 6.5 and 4.8 6.1 and 9.0% (P <0.05), phosphorus - by 8.2 and 6.6% (P <0.01), magnesium - by 9.9 and 9.1% (P <0.05), potassium - by 1.3 and 1.6% (P <0.05), iron - by 1.4 and 1.6% (P <0.05), respectively. The indicators of phagocytic activity in the experimental groups were determined, it was found that, on average, this indicator increased by 5.2% (P <0.05).

Currently, there are a number of feed components that stimulate productivity, growth of animals and poultry. One of them is preparations of antioxidant action on the animal body, which have a positive effect on strengthening the immune system and increasing productivity. In this work, data are presented on the comparative effectiveness of feed additives of various nature: bioflavonoids, polysaccharides, organic acids and protein-carbohydrate complexes in the diets of young rabbits. In the animals of the experimental groups that received bioactive substances as part of the diets, positive dynamics was observed in terms of growth as well as immune status. The greatest effect on the formation of the productive qualities of young rabbits was exerted by the using of the additives Dihydroquercetin + Glimalask, the synergistic effect of which was manifested in the activation of metabolic processes in the body of growing animals.

Broiler chickens are increasingly kept in large numbers in intensive housing conditions that are stressful, potentially depleting the immune system. With the prohibition of the use of antibiotics in poultry feed spreading worldwide, it is necessary to consider the role of natural feed additives and antibiotic alternatives to stimulate the chickens’ immune systems. We review the literature to describe phytogenic feed additives that have immunomodulatory benefits in broilers. We initially review the major active ingredients from plants, particularly flavonoids, resveratrol and humic acid, and then describe the major herbs, spices, and other plants and their byproducts that have immunomodulatory effects. The research reviewed demonstrates the effectiveness of many natural feed additives in improving the avian immune system and therefore broiler health. However, some, and perhaps all, additives have the potential to reduce immunocompetence if given in excessive amounts. Sometimes additives are more effective when given in combination. There is an urgent need to determine tolerance levels and optimum doses for additives deemed most suitable to replace antibiotics in the diet of broiler chickens. Effective replacement is most likely with readily available additives, such as olive oil byproducts, olive leaves and alfalfa. It is concluded that effective replacement of antibiotic function with plant-derived additives will be possible, but that further research is necessary to determine optimum doses.

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