EFFECTS OF KOMBUCHA PELLICLE SUPPLEMENTATION ON BROILER MORTALITY AND INTERNAL ORGANS OVER 35 DAYS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjoest.v7i3.301Keywords:
kombucha pellicle, feed supplementation, broiler chickens, mortality rate, safety assessmentAbstract
This study investigated the effects of Sabah tea kombucha pellicle supplementation on mortality rate, physical and behavioural condition, and internal organ development in broiler chickens over 35 days of feeding trial. Broilers were divided to four groups: a basal diet control and three treatment groups supplemented with 0.05% (T1), 0.1% (T2), or 0.2% (T3) kombucha pellicle. The control group exhibited the highest mortality rate (7.69%), while T1 recorded 100% survival and T2 and T3 showed lower mortality (2.56% and 5.13%, respectively) than the control. Control birds also displayed poorer physical and behavioural indicators, including damp litter, watery excreta, ruffled feathers, panting, high water intake, and reduced activity. These signs are consistent with heat stress and gut disturbance, whereas treatment groups exhibited healthier plumage, normal fecal consistency, and no panting. Carcass assessment revealed no significant differences in relative liver weight or small intestine length across groups, indicating the absence of hepatotoxicity or intestinal morphological damage. A dose-related increase in caeca length was observed, suggesting enhanced fermentative activity at higher pellicle inclusion. Collectively, these findings suggest that kombucha pellicle supplementation, at inclusion levels up to 0.2%, is safe for broiler consumption and may improve survivability, general health, and gut function without adverse effects on internal organs.
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