Effect of Dietary Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on Laying Hens Performance and Escherichia coli (E. coli) Concentration in Feces

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on performance of laying hens and E. coli concentrations in feces. Sixty four of 24 weeks old white Lohman LSL laying hens were randomly assigned to four groups equally (n = 16). Each treatment was replicated four times. Experimental diets were prepared by adding thyme at the levels of 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1% to basal diet. Feed conversion and egg productions of laying hen were improved by thyme supplementation at level 0.1 and 0.5 %. Also, the usage of 0.1 and 0.5 % thyme in laying hens diets significantly (P<0.05) reduced E. coli concentration in feces.