The effect of inclusion in drinking water, either singly or alternating, of oregano oil and a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain on gut health characteristics of growing broiler chickens

The hypothesis of this study was that, during a 42-day growth period, the inclusion of oregano oil and a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain in drinking water, either singly or alternating, would positively impact on gut health characteristics of growing broiler chickens such as excreta pH and dry matter content, and selected histomorphological parameters, i.e, villus height, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and crypt width. Four-hundred Ross 308 chicks (mixed-sex; mean body weight 45.1 g (standard deviation 1.04 g)) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups during the 42-day growth period: control (without supplement), probiotic (continuous supply of an E. faecium commodity [minimum activity per kg: 3.3 × 1012...