Effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) as a Dietary Supplement on the Physiology and Health of Poultry
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Abstract
The increasing incorporation of antibiotics into poultry feed for growth development and disease prevention has resulted in serious health implications and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) powder, as a dietary supplement, on immune response, gut integrity, total antioxidant capacity, and hematological and biochemical parameters in different poultry breeds. The present review examined 76 studies on the effects of dietary ginger on the health and physiology of poultry, including broiler and layer chickens, quail, and turkeys. Only peer-reviewed, indexed, full-text articles published in English were considered and investigated. Natural alternatives, such as ginger powder and its derivatives, in poultry production systems have been shown to mitigate antibiotic-related challenges and have been widely incorporated into poultry feed mixtures. Ginger supplementation in the feed of laying hens, broiler chickens, broiler chicks, and quail has enhanced intestinal integrity and increased the immune response against several viral diseases affecting poultry, such as Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, and avian influenza. Ginger has reduced glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels and increased high-density lipoprotein levels, thereby improving hematological parameters such as red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume, as well as kidney and liver functions. Ginger reduced oxidative stress and improved antioxidant status. Dietary ginger supplementation in poultry diets could serve as a natural feed additive to enhance growth, immunity, and overall health across poultry species, although optimal dosage may differ by species, age, and health status.
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