Comparison of growth promotion effects: Fermented non-medicinal parts of Scutellaria baicalensis vs. non-critical rare earth cerium oxide in yellow-feathered broilers https://doi.org/10.12982/VIS.2026.059
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Abstract
This study investigated the effects of fermented Scutellaria baicalensis stem and leaves and Cerium Oxide (CeO2) supplementation on the growth performance, slaughter performance, and immune function of yellow-feather broilers. The results demonstrated that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the treatment groups compared to the antibiotic-positive group. The group treated with 0.8% fermented Scutellaria baicalensis stems and leaves exhibited the high average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, surpassing the control group by 3.2% and 2.3%, respectively. Slaughter performance showed that the 0.8% Scutellaria baicalensis treatment group had greater chest depth, keel length, pelvic width, and tibia length than other groups. In contrast, the 500 mg CeO2 treatment group exhibited the longest tibia length. Additionally, the slaughter rates of all treatment groups were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than those of the control and antibiotic-positive groups. Immune function analysis revealed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in thymus and bursa indices; however, the thymus index was higher in groups with 0.8% Scutellaria baicalensis stem and leaves and CeO2 groups. Serum immunoglobulin analysis indicated that IgM and IgG levels did not significantly differ among groups, but CeO2 supplementation increased IgA levels, particularly in the 50 mg and 100 mg groups. These results illustrated that adding 0.8% fermented Scutellaria baicalensis stems and leaves to poultry feed effectively enhances improve the growth performance and carcass traits of yellow-feather broilers, and is a potential substitute for antibiotics in poultry production, compared to CeO2 and Lincomycin hydrochloride.
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