Dietary supplemental effect of Nigella Sativa seed on productive and reproductive performance of chicks

ABSTRACT

Three hundred and sixty one-day old Inshas chicks were used to investigate the effect of crushed Nigella sativa seed [CNS] levels as feed additive for the 1 st five weeks of the growing period [0-20 weeks old] which fed a starter ration [19% CP and 2835 Kcal ME/Kg ration], through the period [0-8 weeks], a grower ration [15.21% CP and 2484 kcal ME / kg ratio through the period [8-20 weeksold] and the laying period [20-32 weeks old] which fed a laying ration [16% CP and 2705 / K Cal ME / Kg ration]. Live body weight [L.B.W.], live body weight gain [L.B.W.G.], feed intake [F.I.], feed conversion [F.C.], egg production, hatchability, fertility, egg quality, age at sexual maturity, blood serum cholesterol, total protein, T3, T4, semen concentration and dead/ a live sperm% were recorded. Performance results revealed that the heavier body weight, body weight gain, least feed intake, best feed conversion are achieved by chicks fed 2% supplemented dietary CNS compared to the control one, low and high level of CNS during the growing period. Laying performance results revealed that a significant increase [P egg production egg weight, fertility, hatchability and age at sexual maturity for chicks fed 2% CNS, however, egg quality showed no significant change except haugh unit%. Significant decrease of serum cholesterol and a significant increase of sperm concentration with 2% CNS dietary feed additive. From nutritional point of view, the productive and reproductive traits, it could be recommended to feed the growing and laying Inshas chicks with a ration supplemented with a moderate level of 2% crushed Nigella sativa seed as feed additive for best productive and reproduction performance