Effect of dietary resveratrol supplementation on growth performance, immune response, serum biochemical indices, cecal microflora, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens challenged with Escherichia coli

•Effect of resveratrol (RSV) supplementation at 2 levels of 300 and 600 ppm was studied in E. coli challenged broilers chickens.•Dietary supplementation of RSV at both levels improved growth performance of broiler chickens.•Dietary supplementation of RSV increased immune response in broiler chickens.•Dietary inclusion of RSV showed beneficial effects on cecal bacterial community and small intestine morphological indices.•The complete recovery from the adverse effects of the E. coli challenge on growth performance and gut health was observed only when the amount of 600 ppm RSV to the diet was added.