1PADESCA Laboratory (Laboratoire de Recherche de Pathologie Animale Développement des Elevages et Surveillance de la Chaine Alimentaire des Denrées Animales Ou d'origine Animale), Institute of Veterinary Sciences-El Khroub, University of Constantine 1, 25000, Constantine, Algeria
2Laboratoire de Gestion de la santé et Productions Animales, Institute of Veterinary Sciences-El Khroub, University of Constantine 1, 25000, Constantine, Algeria
*Corresponding Author: Abdelghani Souheila, PADESCA Laboratory (Laboratoire de Recherche de Pathologie Animale Développement des Elevages et Surveillance de la Chaine Alimentaire des Denrées Animales Ou d'origine Animale), Institute of Veterinary Sciences-El Khroub, University of Constantine 1, 25000, Constantine, Algeria, Email: souheila.abdelghani@student.umc.edu.dz
Online published on 13 November, 2025.
The use of growth-promoting antibiotics in poultry feed at sub-therapeutic doses can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance, which can reduce their effectiveness in treating both animal and human health issues. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Milk thistle seeds to broiler feed and drinking water on zootechnical and production performance, as well as on various biochemical parameters.
One hundred Cobb 500 broiler chicks were weighed and divided into four equal groups of 25 chicks each. The control group was fed a conventional diet. The experimental groups were as follows: group 2 received a diet containing 3% ground Milk thistle seeds, group 3 was treated with water infused with 3% Milk thistle seeds and group 4 received a diet with 1.5% ground Milk thistle seeds and drinking water infused with 1.5% Milk thistle seeds. All chicks had unlimited access to food and water during the 43-day rearing period.
The study revealed that the group labeled as control had the highest feed intake at 4300.32 g, while the chickens that were fed a ration containing 3% Milk thistle seeds consumed a lower quantity, approximately 3674.12 g. The inclusion of Milk thistle seeds at a rate of 1.5% in the feed and 1.5% in the drinking water significantly increased the slaughter weight of the chickens (2803.50 g) compared to the control group (2578.90 g) (P<0.05). The control group chickens, which were fed a conventional diet, had a lower carcass weight compared to those in group 4 (P<0.05). However, the inclusion of Milk thistle seeds in the different groups did not affect carcass yield, abdominal mass,biochemical profile (P>0.05).
Biochemical parameters, Broilers, Milk thistle seeds, Production performance, Zootechnical
