ABSTRACT This study was conducted to examine the effects of garlic (G), black cumin (BC) and G+BC within the broiler rations, on performance, relative organ weights, intestinal morphology, serum biochemistry and plasma total oxidant/ antioxidant status. Two hundred broilers chicks (Ross 308) were used and they were divided into 4 groups consisting of 5 subgroups of 10 animals each. The trial was ended on the 35th day. No addition was made to the control group ration. 5g / kg garlic (G), 5g / kg black cumin (BC) and 5g / kg G + 5g / kg BC were added to the experimental group rations, respectively. There was no statistical difference among the trial groups in terms of BWG, FI, FCR and relative organ weights (p>0.05). Serum total protein (p<0.05) and albumin (p<0.001) levels were higher in BC and BC +G groups as compared to G and control group. Serum AST activity were lower in G group as compared to control and other experimental groups (p<0.05). On histological examinations, regarding the duodenal epithelium; there was no difference among the trial groups. Hyperemia was observed, especially in the G group, in macroscopic exams of lamina propria and other viticular areas. The lymph follicles were more wide spread in the G + BC, G and BC groups than in the control. The results of the study showed that the combination of BC and G can have beneficial effects, and different doses of G and BC may be used to see positive or negative effects.

Organic broiler chicken production has recently received more attention worldwide. This study carried out an economic analysis to compare the profitability of organic versus conventional growing systems per unit of broiler meat production. In this study, 400 slow-growing broilers (Hubbard Red-JA) were reared in an organic production system and the same number of fast-growing broilers (Ross-308) were reared in a conventional system. Profitability was deduced from an economic analysis that compared total costs and net income. Results showed that organic broiler meat can cost from 70% to 86% more with respect to variable and fixed costs when compared with conventional production. The main reasons for the higher cost of organic broiler meat were feed, labor, certification, and outdoor area maintenance. The proportion of fixed costs in total costs was 1.54% in the conventional system and 7.48% in the organic system. The net income per kg of chicken meat in the organic system was €0.75, which is 180% higher compared with the conventional system (€0.27); however, organic broiler meat was sold at a twice as high price than the conventional one. In conclusion, organic broiler meat production was more economical than conventional rearing.

Recently, organic broiler chicken production has received more attention worldwide. This study has carried out an economic analysis to compare the profitability of organic versus conventional growing systems per unit of broiler meat production. To achieve this goal, 400 slow-growing broiler chickens (Hubbard Red-JA) were reared in an organic production system, and the same number of fast-growing birds (Ross-308) in a conventional system. The profitability was deduced with an economic analysis that compared total costs and net income. Results showed that organic broiler meat can cost from 70% to 86% more with respect to variable and fixed costs when compared with conventional production. The main reasons for the higher cost of organic broiler meat were feed, labor, certification, and outdoor area maintenance. The proportion of fixed costs in total costs was 1.54% in the conventional system and 7.48% in the organic system. The net income per kg of chicken meat in the organic system was € 0.75, which is 180% higher than chicken meat grown in a conventional system (€ 0.27); however, the price of organic broiler meat sold in the present study was twice as high as that obtained for conventional broilers. In conclusion, organic broiler meat production was more profitable than conventional rearing.