A natural plant supplement combining Eucommia ulmoides leaves and Astragalus membranaceus at 0.5% of feed improved chicken growth and feed efficiency in a 42-day study of 200 broilers. According to Gram Research analysis, supplemented chickens gained more weight while eating less food, had stronger immune systems with higher antibody levels, and showed improved antioxidant protection. The supplement also increased beneficial gut bacteria and altered metabolic pathways related to nutrient processing.
Researchers tested a natural plant supplement made from two herbs on young chickens to see if it could help them grow better and stay healthier. The supplement, a mix of Eucommia ulmoides leaves and Astragalus membranaceus, was added to chicken feed at different amounts for 42 days. According to Gram Research analysis, the chickens that received the lowest dose of this plant mix grew faster, needed less food to gain weight, and had stronger immune systems and better antioxidant protection. The supplement also changed the types of helpful bacteria living in the chickens’ digestive systems in positive ways. This suggests that natural plant additives could be a sustainable way to improve chicken health without using antibiotics or synthetic chemicals.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research study of 200 broiler chickens found that a 0.5% dietary supplement of Eucommia ulmoides leaf-Astragalus membranaceus complex increased body weight gain and reduced feed conversion ratio compared to control birds receiving standard feed.
The plant supplement contained 46.53% polysaccharides and demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with supplemented chickens showing significantly higher serum antioxidant enzyme activities and immunoglobulin concentrations than control birds.
In a 42-day poultry study, the herbal supplement altered cecal microbial composition by increasing beneficial bacteria including Faecalibacterium and Blautia, while metabolomic analysis identified 103 differential metabolites primarily associated with amino acid, glycerophospholipid, and energy metabolism.
The 0.5% supplement dose in broiler chickens improved feed efficiency without affecting total feed intake, indicating enhanced nutrient utilization rather than increased appetite stimulation.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a natural plant supplement made from two herbs could improve chicken growth, health, immune function, and the balance of bacteria in their digestive systems.
- Who participated: 200 one-day-old yellow-feathered broiler chickens divided into four groups. One group ate regular feed, and three groups ate feed mixed with different amounts of the plant supplement for 42 days.
- Key finding: Chickens receiving 0.5% of the plant supplement grew faster and more efficiently, gaining more weight while eating less food compared to chickens on regular feed. These chickens also had stronger immune systems and better protection against cellular damage.
- What it means for you: This research suggests that natural plant supplements could help farm animals grow healthier and more efficiently without antibiotics. While this study focused on chickens, it opens doors for exploring similar natural approaches in other animals and potentially in human nutrition, though more research is needed.
The Research Details
Scientists conducted a controlled experiment with 200 young chickens divided equally into four groups. One group served as the control, eating only regular chicken feed. The other three groups received the same base feed but with added plant supplement at three different strengths: 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%. All groups were raised for 42 days under identical conditions. The researchers measured how much the chickens grew, how efficiently they converted feed into body weight, and collected blood and digestive samples to analyze their immune function, antioxidant levels, and gut bacteria composition. They also performed advanced chemical analysis to identify all the metabolites, or chemical compounds, in the chickens’ blood that changed due to the supplement.
This research design is important because it uses a real-world farming scenario with a large number of animals, making the results more applicable to actual poultry production. By measuring multiple health markers including growth, immunity, antioxidant protection, and gut bacteria, the study captures a complete picture of how the supplement affects overall chicken health. The use of metabolomics, a technique that identifies hundreds of chemical changes in the body, provides deep insight into exactly how the supplement works at a molecular level.
The study used proper experimental controls with random assignment of animals to groups and multiple replicates within each group, which strengthens the reliability of findings. The researchers measured objective outcomes like weight gain and feed conversion, which are standard industry metrics. The use of advanced laboratory techniques including DNA sequencing for bacteria identification and metabolomic profiling adds scientific rigor. However, the study was conducted only in chickens, so results may not directly apply to other species or to humans without further research.
What the Results Show
The 0.5% supplement dose produced the best results. Chickens receiving this dose gained significantly more body weight and average daily weight gain compared to control chickens eating regular feed. More importantly, these chickens achieved this growth while eating less food overall, meaning they converted their feed into body weight more efficiently. This is measured by the feed conversion ratio, which decreased in the supplemented groups. The supplement did not change how much total food the chickens ate, suggesting the benefit came from better nutrient utilization rather than increased appetite. Blood tests showed that chickens receiving the supplement had higher levels of antioxidant enzymes, which protect cells from damage. They also had higher levels of immunoglobulins, which are antibodies that help fight infections and disease.
The plant supplement contained 46.53% polysaccharides, which are complex carbohydrates known to support immune function. Laboratory testing showed the supplement had strong antioxidant activity that increased with higher concentrations, meaning more of the supplement created more cell-protective power. The supplement altered the composition of bacteria living in the chickens’ small intestine and large intestine. Specifically, beneficial bacteria like Faecalibacterium and Blautia increased in the cecum, which is part of the large intestine. These bacteria are known to produce short-chain fatty acids that support digestive health. The advanced metabolomic analysis identified 103 different chemical compounds that changed in the chickens’ blood, primarily related to amino acid metabolism, fat metabolism, and energy production. These changes suggest the supplement improved how the chickens’ bodies process and use nutrients.
This research aligns with previous studies showing that plant-based feed additives can improve poultry performance and health. The finding that natural supplements can enhance antioxidant status and immune function supports earlier research on herbal additives in animal nutrition. The observation that the supplement altered gut bacteria composition in beneficial ways matches findings from other studies on phytogenic additives, which are plant-derived compounds added to feed. However, this is one of the first studies to comprehensively examine both the gut microbiota changes and the metabolomic changes together, providing a more complete picture of how the supplement works in the body.
This study was conducted only in chickens, so the results cannot be directly applied to other animals or humans without additional research. The study lasted only 42 days, which is the typical growth period for broiler chickens but may not reflect long-term effects. Only one plant supplement combination was tested, so it is unclear whether other combinations or individual herbs would produce similar results. The study did not test whether the supplement could prevent or treat specific diseases, only whether it improved general health markers. The research was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, so results may differ in real farm conditions with varying environmental factors.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, a 0.5% addition of the Eucommia ulmoides and Astragalus membranaceus plant supplement to chicken feed appears to be an effective and safe way to improve growth and feed efficiency. This recommendation has moderate to strong confidence because the study used proper experimental controls and measured multiple health outcomes. The supplement did not cause any negative effects on routine blood chemistry, suggesting it is safe at this dose. However, these recommendations apply specifically to broiler chickens and should not be assumed to work the same way in other animals or humans without additional research.
Poultry farmers and the commercial chicken industry should care about these findings because improved feed efficiency directly reduces production costs and environmental impact. Animal nutritionists and veterinarians working with poultry operations may want to consider this supplement as an alternative to antibiotics for supporting chicken health. Consumers interested in more sustainable and natural approaches to animal agriculture may appreciate this research. People interested in natural health supplements should not assume these results apply to human use without human clinical trials. This research is not directly applicable to people managing their own health or nutrition.
In chickens, the benefits appeared within the 42-day study period, with growth improvements visible by the end of the experiment. The changes in gut bacteria composition were observed at both day 21 and day 42, suggesting the supplement’s effects develop relatively quickly. If similar supplements were tested in humans, benefits would likely take weeks to months to appear, as human metabolic changes typically occur more slowly than in chickens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Eucommia and Astragalus supplement actually improve animal growth and health?
Research shows that 0.5% dietary supplementation improved broiler chicken growth rate and feed efficiency over 42 days while increasing antioxidant enzymes and immune antibodies. The supplement altered beneficial gut bacteria composition and metabolic pathways related to nutrient processing.
What is in this plant supplement that makes it work?
The supplement contains 46.53% polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates that support immune function and antioxidant activity. Laboratory testing confirmed strong cell-protective activity that increased with higher concentrations of the supplement.
Is this supplement safe to use in animals?
The study found no negative effects on routine blood chemistry parameters in chickens receiving the supplement at 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% dietary levels over 42 days, suggesting safety at tested doses. However, safety in other species requires separate testing.
Can humans use this supplement based on this chicken study?
This research was conducted only in chickens, so results cannot be directly applied to humans without human clinical trials. Animal studies provide preliminary evidence but do not prove safety or effectiveness in people.
How long does it take to see benefits from this supplement?
In chickens, growth improvements and changes in gut bacteria appeared within 42 days. In humans, metabolic changes typically occur more slowly, potentially requiring weeks to months of consistent use to observe measurable effects.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly weight and body measurements if using similar supplements, recording changes in energy levels, digestion quality, and immune health markers like frequency of illness or recovery time from infections.
- Start by adding a small amount of the supplement to your regular diet or feeding routine, gradually increasing to the recommended dose while monitoring for any changes in digestion, energy, or overall wellness.
- Maintain a health log documenting energy levels, digestive comfort, immune function indicators like illness frequency, and any changes in body composition over 6 to 12 weeks to assess personal response to the supplement.
This research was conducted in chickens and does not directly apply to human health or nutrition without human clinical trials. Individuals considering similar supplements should consult with a healthcare provider before use, especially those with existing health conditions, taking medications, or who are pregnant or nursing. This article summarizes scientific research and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Always follow product labeling and consult qualified healthcare professionals before making dietary changes or starting new supplements.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.