The Effect of Bitter Orange Blossom Powder on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Some Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens Under Heat Stress Condition

   This study was conducted to determine the effects of Bitter Orange blossom powder (BOBP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters in broiler chickens under heat stress condition. A total of 200 one day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) randomly were divided into five treatment groups in a completely randomized design with four replicates of 10 birds each. The experimental treatments including control (basal diet), the basal diet with Neomycin (0.2% of v diet) and 3 levels of BOBP (0.5, 1 and 2% of diet). Birds submitted to heat stress (32±2ºC from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM) from 15 to 42 d of age. Blood samples were taken from 8 birds per treatment at the end of experiment. The results showed that, average mortality was significantly lower (P<0.05) in treatments groups (3.75%) than in the control group (22.5%). The diet supplemented with BOBP had no effects on feed intake and weight gain of chicks during different periods (P>0.05). In the grower phase (11-24 d), the lowest fed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained in 0.5% BOBP, which were significantly different from 2% treatment (P<0.05). Birds receiving diet supplemented with 1% BOBP revealed significantly (P<0.05) lower blood glucose compared to the control group (211 vs 225.8 mg/dl). LDL level was lower (p < 0.05) in 2% BOBP treatment (57.4 mL/dL) compared to 0.5% (69.6 mg/dl). The feeding of BOBP did not induce any significant effect on the whole carcass, breast, drumstick and internal organs weight of broiler chickens (P<0.05). In conclusion, BOBP may be effective in attenuating heat stress effects due to its illustrated antioxidant effects.