Effect of using different levels of Dill seeds on performance, some blood biochemical and intestinal microbial population in Ross 308 broiler chicks

Abstract

<strong>Background & Aim:</strong> Dill “<em>Anethum graveolens"</em> is an annual medical plantin the celery family “<em>Apiaceae"</em>. It is the sole species of the genus “<em>Anethum</em>".The health advantages of dill seed include its ability to increasedigestive health, as well as providingrelief from insomnia, hiccups, diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual disorders, respiratory disorders, and cancer. This experiment aimed to determine the effects of using different levels of Dill seeds on performance, some blood biochemical parameters and intestinal microbial population in Ross 308 broiler chicks.<br /> <strong>Experimental: </strong>300 one-day-old male broiler chickswere divided into the four treatments with six replicates and 15 birds each as randomized design. The treatments contained basal diet with no Dill seeds kept as control, and200,400 and 600 gof Dill seedsper each ton of diets respectively. The live bodyweightsgain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of birdswere calculated weekly. At the end of the experimentfour male birdsform each replicates were slaughtered and dressing percentage were calculated. In addition, some carcass traits and chick's visceral partwere weighed separately as percentage of carcass and some organs weight.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Data indicated that using Dill seeds increased feed intake (FI) in treatmentscompared to control.Alsobody weight (BW) (g/d) and Pre-slaughter weight (g) were higher in groups that werefed by dill seedscompared to the control. Additionally, therewere significant differences (p<0.05) for feed conversation ratio (FCR) among treatments.<br /> <strong>Recommended applications/industries:</strong> In conclusion, increasing levels of Dill seeds improved performance and some blood biochemical parametersof broilers chicks.