The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fermented kombucha on green tea with white sugar or sugar beet molasses in broiler chickens. Birds (n = 448) were randomly allotted into seven treatments of four replicates each. Treatments were included: tap water with no kombucha (Control), water containing 3 ml/100 ml kombucha based on white sugar (SK3%), water containing 6 ml/100 ml kombucha based on white sugar (SK 6%), water containing 3 ml/100 ml kombucha based on sugar beet molasses (MK3%), water containing 6 ml/100 ml kombucha based on sugar beet molasses (MK6%), SK 3%+MK 3% and SK 6%+MK 6%. Except for SK3%, all birds received SK or MK in their drinking water had greater (p ≤ .05) BWG than control. Feed intake increased (p ≤ .05) in SK6% group in comparison to the control. All SK or MK treatments resulted in lower (p ≤ .05) FCR in comparison with the control. Birds received the MK6% and SK6%+MK6% treatments showed greater (p<.05) apparent ileal digestibility of CP. ALT levels decreased (p ≤ .05) in birds received all kombucha treatments. The SK and MK treatments decreased (p ≤ .05) total coliform counts in caecum whereas the lactobacillus population increased (p ≤ .05) in birds received 6% of SK, MK or their combination. The SK6%+MK6% and MK6% groups had greater (p ≤ .05) antibody titre against NDV. Plasma and liver activities of CAT and SOD were greater (p ≤ .05) in kombucha treatments in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, kombucha fermented on white sugar or sugar beet molasses showed growth promoting effect in broilers and addition of 6 ml fermented kombucha on sugar beet molasses per 100 ml of drinking water result in the best performance.
