Nutraceutical effect of Anacardium occidentale in diets of replacement laying pullets

Objective. To assess the nutraceutical effect of powder from leaves and shoots of Anacardium occidentale (AO) in the diets of replacement laying pullets. Materials and methods. 240 day-old White Leghorn chicks (L-33), were placed for 35 days, according to a completely randomized design with addition levels of 0, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5% of leaves and shoots powder of AO, in their diets. In the case of chicks, production indicators, absolute and relative weight of immune organs, viscera, innards and intestines, intestinal hypersensitivity and serum glucose were determined. Results. The final body weight, the cumulative feed intake, the weight of thymus, bursa of Fabricio, and colon + rectum with empty and full gastrointestinal tract in the birds, were favorable with the addition of 0.5 % of AO powder with significant difference between (p?0.05). Cumulative intake, consumption of AO powder and tannins were increased in birds with 1.5 and 2.5% of AO powder compared to the control group; however, the production indicators for these animals were reduced. The addition of AO powder did not impair the relative weight of the viscera (heart, liver and kidney) in birds; also, the intestinal hypersensitivity and serum glucose were reduced. Conclusions. The addition of 0.5% of powder from leaves and shoots of AO as nutraceutical in diets for replacement pullets and laying hens, improved the productive indicators and weight of immune organs, plus the addition of three levels of dust in the diets, decreased intestinal hypersensitivity and serum glucose.