An analysis of the literature sources, where the main results of the use of antioxidants in the poultry industry is given in the review article. Adaptation of a bird occurs due to its use of exogenous and endogenous antioxidants under stress. Scientists put forward the natural concept of antioxidant protection of cells. The essence of this protection lies in the fact that antioxidants prevent the leakage of free electrons in the mitochondria of cells by purifying the original radicals. Biologically active compounds, which include antioxidants, are divided into two groups: natural and synthetic. Natural antioxidants in poultry farming are safer, cheaper and can prevent oxidative reactions in food during storage and do not cause metabolic diseases in animals and birds, are a good alternative to synthetic ones.

The article reviews the role of antioxidants and their use as additives in feed for various types of farm animals and poultry. Incoming antioxidants activate protection. This protection is based on preventing the leakage of free electrons in mitochondria by cleaning intermediate radicals with vitamins, glutathiones, uric acid, bilirubin, ubiquinone, etc. Damaged molecules are restored and removed and the synthesis of new molecules is activated. Feed additives of natural origin are characterized by a high content of antioxidants. The use of these additives can improve the efficiency of animal and poultry farming. Facts about the presence of natural antioxidants in plants are outlined in the review. Phenolic compounds and flavonoids forming the basis of natural antioxidants play a vital role in preventing diseases associated with both oxidative stress, which produces free radicals, and as inhibitors of pathogenic microflora. Organoleptic changes affecting the period of storing occur during the oxidation of livestock products during storage. The presence of antioxidants limits the degree of oxidation of livestock products. Synthetic antioxidants are forbidden in many countries although they are effective in inhibiting oxidation in food. A natural alternative to traditional synthetic antioxidants for the purpose of using them as preservatives for livestock products is becoming more preferable, since until now the harm for the consumer from the action of natural antioxidants in comparison with synthetic ones has not been proved: natural antioxidants effectively slow down lipid oxidation.

Scientists working in the field of animal nutrition have recently begun to pay more attention to biologically active substances contained in plants-phytobiotics. Their complex study (composition, effect on the body) is carried out only in the last 20-30 years. It was found that the use of plant components in animal husbandry (plant parts, essential oils, extracts) was accompanied by an increase in feed conversion, an overall improvement in production indicators, and an immunostimulatory effect.

Essential oils as a feed additive in animal and poultry nutrition should preserve the bactericidal properties of blood and suppress the formation of bacterial biofilms. The study of bacterial biofilms and bacterial activity of blood serum in broiler chickens against the background of the addition of essential oil of Satureja montana to a diet was discussed in the article. Blood serum of broilers that received essential oil with feed suppressed the growth of the bacterial biofilms at S. aureus test culture by 60-72%. It serum had a weaker effect on the bacterial biofilms at E. coli test culture; it reduced the density by 23.5%. This effect began only after the 10th day of inclusions of essential oil. The blood serum of chickens that received essential oil in the form of aqueous solutions had a weak antimicrobial effect against growing the bacterial biofilms at S. aureus test culture; the density was 10% lower than that of the control. The growth of the bacterial biofilms of E. coli test culture was not inhibited.

The effect of the liposomal form of the antioxidant Polysol Omega-3 on laying hens and on the egg productivity was stated in article. Hens feeding by liposomal form of the antioxidant on protein content in the egg (p≤0.01), the height of dense protein (p≤0.001), the average diameter of dense protein (p≤0.01), the height of the yolk ( p≤0.01), the average diameter of the yolk (p≤0.001) and the quality of the protein in units of How (p≤0.001), by 5.02 g (13.4%), 1.00 mm (20.6%), 1.00 cm (6.99%), 2.2 mm (15.94%), 6.4 mm (13.68%) and 7.4 units. (11.35%) had an impact respectively. An increase in the porosity of the eggs shell in the laying hens of the experimental group was proved by a significant decrease in the Ca content by 0.49 g (p≤0.01). A positive trend in the content of iodine in the eggs of hens of the experimental group at the end of the third month of the experiment was noted at 35.8 μg (828.2 %).