Simple Summary
The overuse of antibiotics in poultry production has led to bacterial resistance and drug residues, threatening food safety and public health. As a result, safe and effective antibiotic alternatives are urgently needed. Dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.) is an edible and medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, but its high crude fiber content limits its utilization. In this study, dandelion was processed into dandelion ultrafine powder (DSFP) and added to broiler diets at 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 3% to evaluate its effects on growth performance, organ development, intestinal length, antioxidant capacity, cecal microbiota, and economic benefits. The results showed that 1% DSFP supplementation produced the best overall effects: it significantly increased ADG and average daily feed intake, promoted duodenal development, enhanced serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and was associated with changes in the cecal microbiota, including a tendency toward a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and potential short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, and achieved the highest gross profit per bird. These findings indicate that 1% DSFP is an appropriate dosage for broiler production and may serve as a promising natural antibiotic alternative.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with dandelion superfine powder (DSFP) on the growth performance, organ indices, intestinal length, antioxidant parameters, cecal microbiota and economic benefits of broilers, so as to determine its optimal dosage. A total of 240 one-day-old ROSS broilers were randomly allocated into four groups fed basal diets supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 3% DSFP, respectively. The results showed that medium-dose (1%) DSFP significantly increased the overall ADG and average daily feed intake, elevated duodenal length, and improved serum GSH-Px activity of broilers. Microbiological analysis revealed that 1% DSFP was associated with changes in the cecal microbiota structure and tended to increase the relative abundance of Firmicutes and potential short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. Economically, the medium-dose group achieved the highest gross profit per broiler. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1% DSFP can effectively improve growth performance and was associated with favorable changes in certain intestinal microbial indicators, leading to superior economic benefits, and it represents the appropriate dosage for broiler production.