Influence of Milk Thistle on the Production Performance of Broilers

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is widely used in poultry production due to its beneficial effects on liver health, immune function, and overall performance. It contains silymarin, a bioactive compound with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. The present study was carried out to evaluate the influence of milk thistle on the production performance of broilers. Vencobb 430Y broiler birds (n=300) were reared for five weeks. The day-old birds were randomly divided into five equal groups (A, B, C, D and E) of 60 birds each. Each group was further subdivided into six replicates of ten birds each. Group A served as the control, was supplemented with Herbal choline without Milk thistle at 250 g/T feed. Groups B, C, D, and E, were supplemented with the Herbal choline fortified with 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% Milk thistle, respectively, at 250 g/T. This graded inclusion allowed assessment of the dose-dependent influence of Milk thistle on the performance and physiological responses of broilers. The performance parameters like live weight, gain in weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were recorded and evaluated every week. The parameters for serum lipid profile, liver histomorphology and intestinal morphometry were evaluated at the end of the trial. The results at the end of five weeks suggested that the cumulative live weights at the end of five weeks were significantly higher (P≤0.05) in the birds from the treatment groups as compared to the control group. A similar trend was observed in the gain in weight and feed consumption of the birds. These results were reflected in the feed conversion ratio, which was significantly better (P≤0.05) in the birds from all the treatment groups as compared to the birds from control group A. Significant differences (P≤0.05) were reported in liver histomorphology and intestinal morphometry values. However, the serum lipid values reported non-significant differences (P≥0.05). The mortality rate reported was well within the standard limits. Thus, inclusion of milk thistle in the diet of broilers significantly improves the growth performance of broilers with better profit margins without any negative effects.