Effects of Euphorbia hirta and Acidifiers Supplement on Resistance of Broiler Chickens against Salmonella enteritidis Infection: Oral Challenge Model

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Euphorbia hirta and acidifiers supplement on resistance of broiler chickens against Salmonella enteritidis infection. A total of 120 day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments. 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet supplemented with 2 g/kg organic acid (OA) and 3) basal diet supplemented with 7.5 g/kg E. hirta (EH7.5). At d 3, all chicks were inoculated by 1 mL S. enteritidis (1.5×108 cfu/bird). Cloacal swabs were taken from the inoculated chicken on d 2, 10, 17, 23 and 28 post inoculation and the chicks were killed for microbiological examination on d 7, 14 and 28 after challenge. At seven and 14 days after challenge, the number of S. entritidis was significantly (P