Comparative effects of medium-chain fatty acids or phytobiotics-based feed additives on performance, caecum microbiota, volatile fatty acid production and intestinal morphology of broilers.

Antibiotic growth promoters have been utilized in broiler nutrition to alleviate the negative effects of the pathogenic microbes to promote performance. However, after the prohibition of antibiotics because of the increasing disclosure related to public health issues, various products have been developed as alternatives. This study was carried out to determine the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) or phytobiotics (essential oils [EOs] and alkaloids [ALKs]), blended feed additives on the growth performance, jejunum histomorphology, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens.