Oregano Extract in Broiler Feed Premixes: Supporting Antibiotic-Free Production

As regulations on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) become increasingly stringent, global poultry production is shifting towards antibiotic-free practices. Commercial broiler farmers and premix producers are also actively seeking natural alternatives to AGPs. Oregano extract is being increasingly used in broiler feed premixes. So what are the main components of oregano extract? How does it support antibiotic-free production? How does it perform in feed production? This article will answer these questions one by one.

Key Active Compounds in Oregano Extract

The bioactivity of oregano extract primarily depends on two phenolic compounds: carvacrol and thymol. These are chemically similar isomers and are often used as antibiotic alternatives to promote gut health.

• Carvacrol disrupts bacterial cell membranes, leading to leakage of intracellular contents and inhibition of harmful microbes.

• Thymol complements this action by enhancing membrane permeability and interfering with enzyme systems within pathogenic bacteria.

How to Support Antibiotic-Free Broiler Production?

Maintaining gut health is a major challenge in antibiotic-free farming systems. Due to the lack of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), broilers are more prone to gut microbiota dysbiosis, pathogen proliferation, and fluctuations in production performance.

Oregano extract supports antibiotic-free production by modulating gut microbiota, reducing pathogen load, supporting digestive enzyme activity, and enhancing antioxidant defense. Therefore, oregano extract offers a multi-target strategy rather than relying on a single antibacterial mechanism.

Controlling Pathogenic Bacteria While Preserving Beneficial Microflora

One of the biggest challenges in poultry nutrition is “selective” inhibition. Ideally, we want to eliminate Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens without harming beneficial lactobacilli.

Studies have shown that carvacrol and thymol are particularly effective against Gram-negative pathogens. Due to the unique pH-dependent effects of these phenolic compounds, they tend to be more lethal to pathogenic strains while simultaneously promoting the growth of a more diverse “beneficial” microbiome. This microbiome balance is fundamental to the natural immunity of poultry.

Feed Conversion, Growth Rate, and Gut Integrity

Oregano extract enhances performance through two main pathways:

• Villi Development: It increases the height of the intestinal villi and the depth of the crypts, expanding the surface area available for nutrient absorption.
• Anti-inflammatory Action: By reducing low-grade gut inflammation, the bird diverts less energy toward “metabolic defense” and more toward muscle deposition.

Synergistic Use with Organic Acids, Probiotics, and Enzymes

Oregano extract rarely works alone in modern feed formulations. Instead, it often functions as part of a synergistic strategy.

• Organic acids lower intestinal pH, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of carvacrol and thymol.
• Probiotics help repopulate beneficial bacteria, complementing oregano’s pathogen control.
• Enzymes improve nutrient digestibility, reducing undigested substrates that could fuel harmful microbes.

If you are a premix manufacturer, then compatibility with other functional additives is a key factor you need to consider when purchasing.

Formulation Considerations

When integrating oregano extract into broiler feed premixes, several technical factors should be evaluated:

• Standardization of active compounds
• Dispersion characteristics
• Recommended inclusion levels
• Interaction with other premix components

While birds generally find it palatable, the inclusion rate must be balanced to ensure it doesn’t interfere with feed intake.

Thermal Stability During Pelleting and Feed Processing

One practical concern for feed mills is the stability of essential oil components under high-temperature pelleting conditions. Carvacrol and thymol are heat-sensitive compounds, and excessive exposure to high temperatures may reduce activity.

• Commercial buyers should evaluate:
• Retention rates after pelleting
• Stability under different conditioning temperatures
• Shelf-life under warehouse storage conditions

Stable performance during feed processing directly impacts the cost-effectiveness of the additive.

Partner with a Reliable Oregano Extract Manufacturer

The market is flooded with synthetic “nature-identical” oils and diluted extracts. For a broiler premix to be effective, you need a partner who provides:

1. Batch-to-Batch Consistency: Verified levels of active carvacrol and thymol via GC-MS testing.
2. Traceability: Knowledge of where the oregano was grown and how it was distilled.
3. Stable supply capacity
4. Technical Support: Guidance on inclusion rates and compatibility with other premix ingredients.

Green Agri is a professional manufacturer of plant extracts, dedicated to global animal health. We supply bulk oregano extract (HPLC test) and bulk oregano oil (GC test), with 2 tons of each in stock in our US warehouse. We can provide COA, specification sheets, SDS, flow charts, and other documentation. Green Agri is your trustworthy choice. Contact us today!

Also See

Is Oregano Safe for Dogs?
Carvacrol and Thymol: Plant Pesticides in Agriculture

Reference

Alagawany, M., Abd El-Hack, M. E., Farag, M. R., Shaheen, H. M., Abdel-Latif, M. A., Noreldin, A. E., & Patra, A. K. (2018). The usefulness of oregano and its derivatives in poultry nutrition. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 74(3), 463–474.

Al-Hijazeen, M., Lee, E., Mendonca, A., & Ahn, D. (2016). Effect of oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) on the storage stability and quality parameters of ground chicken breast meat. Antioxidants, 5(2), 18.

Iqbal, H., Rahman, A., Khanum, S., Arshad, M., Badar, I. H., Asif, A. R., et al. (2021). Effect of essential oil and organic acid on performance, gut health, bacterial count and serological parameters in broiler. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 23.

Khukhodziinai, J. S., Das, P. K., Mukherjee, J., Banerjee, D., Ghosh, P. R., Das, A. K., et al. (2024). Effect of dietary benzoic acid and oregano essential oil as a substitute for an anti-coccidial agent on growth performance and physiological and immunological responses in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria species. Animals, 14(20), 3008.