Sumac (Rhus coriaria) supplementation in poultry diet

SUMMARY Sumac (Rhus coriaria) is a potential feed supplement, which contains highly bioactive compounds with strong antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Sumac fruits have a wide range of beneficial effects on the productive performance of poultry. At approximately 0.2% inclusion level, sumac improved broiler growth and feed efficiency by 3% and 4%, respectively. Sumac has been shown to improve gut morphology, decrease Escherichia coli population and increase Lactobacillus spp. microbial populations in the digestive tract, and enhance digestibility of nutrients by 6%. The antioxidant activity in sumac has beneficial effects on broilers reared under stressful conditions, where it can prevent deterioration of meat characteristics during storage. However, a lack of research with laying hens means that no conclusions to be drawn about potential beneficial effects on egg production criteria (e.g. egg weight, egg mass) or quality parameters (e.g. shell, Haugh units, yolk index or yolk colour), although cholesterol level of eggs was reduced when sumac was used in layer feed.