Eucaliptus oil for broiler chicks: Antibody titration in response to infectious bronchitis vaccination and antioxidant effects

Abstract

Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial, antiseptic, expectorant, and respiratory health enhancing functions. However, they stimulate the immune activity and vaccine response, together with the antioxidant effects of these molecules, has been the target of recent studies in poultry, due to its potential. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of eucalyptus oil on the titration of specifications against Infectious Bronchitis and on serum antioxidant parameters in broiler chickens (Cobb), from the 1st to the 42nd day of life of the animals. The research was conducted in the facilities of the poultry sector of UNOESC Xanxerê, using 80 male broiler chickens, of the Cobb lineage. Distributed on the first day of age, in a completely randomized experimental design, consisting of four treatments: Control, 300 ppm eucalyptus oil via drinking water, 300 ppm eucalyptus oil via spray and 300 ppm eucalyptus oil via drinking water + 300 ppm of eucalyptus oil via spray, consisting of 20 replicates, each bird was considered an experimental unit. The addition of eucalyptus oil increased the amount of total totals at 28 days of age, however, it did not provide changes (P>0.05) on the 42-day-old titration. Likewise, the total antioxidant capacity and plasma iron reduction capacity were not influenced (P>0.05) according to the different additions of eucalyptus oil in the birds. It is concluded that eucalyptus oil, added via drinking water or via nebulization, does not change the vaccine response against an Infectious Bronchitis, nor does it exert an antioxidant effect on the body.