Tribulus terrestris extract was added to the water of 10 cocks from the population White Plymouth Rock-mini cocks once daily in dose 10mg/kg body weight for a period of 11weeks. The trial lasted 20 weeks-1week preparatory and 19 weeks experimental period. Eight weeks of the experimental period were intended to measure the aftereffect of the tested product. It was found, that Tribulus terrestris extract improves cocks semen quality : volume of ejaculate, spermatozoids concentration and motility, and shortened the time of methylen blue decolouration. Serum total cholesterol content in the experimental cocks was 9,24% lower (p>0,05) in comparison with the control group. The aftereffect of Tribulus terrestris on the studied parameters was maintained for 8 weeks.

The purpose of this study was to follow out the influence of the prebiotic Salgard and of an herb mixture (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and cinnamon) on the growth performance and blood biochemical parameters of Pekin ducklings in an organic production system. In this study, 72 one-day-old Pekin ducklings reared up to the age of 63 days were used. They were divided into 3 groups of 24 birds each and sexed (12 ♂and 12 ♀) as followed: group I (control) fed a standard feed; group II-fed the same feed supplemented with the prebiotic Salgard at a concentration of 0.15 %, and group III-fed the same feed supplemented with 0.15 % of a herb mixture in an equal proportion (0.03% of each herb-rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and cinnamon) from the first day of age to the end of the experiment. The individual live weight of the birds and the feed conversion ratio were controlled throughout the experiment at 1, 28 and 63 days of age. By the end of the study, blood serum ASAT, ALAT, GGT, triglycerides (TG), total and HDL cholesterol, and creatinine were assayed. The addition of Salgard to the feed of Pekin ducklings increased live weight with 4.94 % in males and with 4.67 % in females. The addition of the herbal mixture of rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, cinnamon to the feed had a positive effect on the live weight. It is increased with 3.75 % in males and insignificantly in females. A significant reduction in the blood serum concentrations of triglycerides (Р<0.01) and total cholesterol (Р<0.01) was established, which could be related with the anti stress effect of the herbal mixture on Pekin ducklings.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of the prebiotic Salgard and an herb mixture (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and cinnamon) on the histostructure of some internal organs and on the intestinal microflora of Pekin ducklings in an organic production system. Seventy two Pekin ducklings distributed randomly into 3 groups of 24 birds each and sexed (12 ♂and 12 ♀) were used as followed: group I (control) fed a standard diet; group II-fed the same diet supplemented with the prebiotic Salgard at a concentration of 0.15 %, and group III-fed the same diet supplemented with 0.15 % of a herb mixture in an equal proportion (0.03% of each herb-rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and cinnamon). At slaughter, material for histological examination was obtained from the ileum, the caeca, the liver and the kidneys of birds. Faecal content from the ileum and the caeca were submitted to microbiological analysis. The addition of Salgard in a concentration of 0.15 % to the diet of Pekin ducklings contributed to significant increasing the length of the villi intestinales (P<0.001) and diameter of intestinal glands (P<0.01) in the ileum and epithelial height (P<0.05) in the caeca, as well as with a reduction of pathogenic intestinal microorganisms in the birds that received the prebiotic and herb mixture.

The objective assessment of welfare in poultry under different rearing systems has gained an increasing importance. In particular, organic rearing systems are examined in relation to improving poultry welfare and the quality of poultry production at a worldwide scale. The aim of the present study was to assess the welfare of parent flocks-White Plymouth Rock, Barred Plymouth Rock (Line F) and New Hampshire, reared under two production systems-indoor on a litter and organic (sleep houses and walk yards). The rearing and microclimatic conditions, the poultry behaviour and blood plasma corticosterone concentrations under both farming systems were examined. The welfare assessment score of White Plymouth Rock, New Hampshire and Barred Plymouth Rock, reared indoor on a litter was 60%, whereas in an organic production system-90%. The higher welfare of birds reared organically was determined by the greater number of birds spending their time in dust bathing (P<0.01) and feather cleaning (P<0.05) as well as by fewer episodes of aggression (P<0.01) and plasma corticosterone levels (P<0.01), as compared to chickens reared indoor on a litter.