Ferulago angulata (FA) is an important medicinal plant in west parts of Iran. The aerial parts of this plant contains variety of components with different therapeuticaleffects such as antioxidant [1] and antibacterial activities [2], but to date there is little information on its possible benefit to young chicks. The study described here was conducted to examine the effect of powder of aerial parts of FA on growth performance and intestinal microflora content of broiler chicks. A total of 126 one-d-old straight-run broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned randomly into three dietary groups each with three replicate of 14 chicks. The dietary groups included: basal diet without any supplement (control), and basal diets supplemented with 0.1 or 0.02% FA powder. The experiment lasted for 42 d. In the overall period, chicks fed diets supplemented with FA gained more weight than those fed the control diet and the highest weight gain was found in those fed diet with 0.1% FA. Feed onversion ratio was improved by FA supplementation. No difference in gastrointestinal pH levels, and in Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli numbers in the ileal and cecal contents between the treatment and control groups were found. The results suggest that the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler can be improved by dietary supplementation of FA. However, these changes are not paralleled with changes in the microbial population of the gut.
