Selected blood parameters in organically raised hens fed with purple coneflower supplemented diet**

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary addition of dried purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) on selected blood parameters of chicks and hens of the native ‘Greenleg Partridge’ breed (Z-11), maintained on a certified poultry farm according to organic farming principles. Birds were divided into two groups according to diet: organic layer diet (group 1), and the same diet supplemented with certified purple coneflower from 20 weeks of age at 10 g/kg feed (group 2). Layers were fed the certified layer diet (17% protein and 11.1 MJ ME/kg diet) following organic farming principles. Experimental incubations were performed at 34 wks of age. Blood was collected from laying hens at 34 wks and from newly hatched chicks at one day of age to determine selected blood parameters. The organically raised ‘Greenleg Partridge’ hens and chicks responded to the purple coneflower supplement by changes in blood picture, which are important indicators of avian health and condition. As in Z-11 chicks, purple coneflower supplemented to the layer diet reduced the H:L ratio and induced a tendency for higher level of the immunoglobulin complex and IgG in blood, which shows their better living comfort and higher immunity. Dietary purple coneflower was observed to have no effect on the level of hematocrit, erythrocytes and leukocytes. High individual variation occurred for the immunoglobulin complex and IgG in the organically raised ‘Greenleg Partridge’ hens.