Effects of Different Levels of Hemp Seed (Cannabis SativaL.) and Dextran Oligosaccharide on Growth Performance and Antibody Titer Response of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A total of 384 Ross 308 male broilers were used in a randomised complete design for a period of six weeks. The experiment was conducted as a 4×2 factorial arrangement with 4 levels of hemp seed (HS) (0, 25, 50 and 75 g/kg) and 2 levels of dextran oligossacharide (DOS) (0 and 1 g/kg). Each of the 8 dietary treatments was fed to 4 replicate pens (12 birds/pen) from 1 to 42 d of age. The results indicated that diets containing 25 g/kg HS caused significant decrease in average daily feed intake and average daily gain (ADG), whereas total serum cholesterol, low and very low density lipoprotein, and TG levels was minimised at 75 g/kg of HS, but serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased with increasing HS levels (P<0.01). Addition of 1 g/kg DOS diets compared with control diet, significantly increased ADG and HDL, and improved feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). Dietary DOS and HS had no significant effect on complete blood count, antibody production and relative weight of bursa and spleen in broilers (P>0.05). In conclusion, dietary HS and DOS can be used at their highest levels tested in the present study (75 g/kg of HS+1 g/kg of DOS) to decrease lipid levels of blood serum in broilers without any negative effect on performance.

Effects of Dietary Hemp Seed and Flaxseed on Growth Performance, Meat Fatty Acid Compositions, Liver Tocopherol Concentration and Bone Strength of Cockerels

“…According to the existing literature, the results from published experiments on dietary HS supplementation in poultry have consistently shown its positive effect on performance and product quality [14][15][16][17][18]. The experiments conducted by these authors differed in the amount of HS in the diets, but the levels used were often higher than 20%.…”

“…To date, studies on the effects of the addition of HS or hemp oil to chicken and hen feed have been focused on performance and the fatty acid (FA) concentrations in eggs and meat [14][15][16][17][18]. According to published data, the amount of HS used in the chicken diet was 2.5-30%.…”

“…Eriksson and Wall [15] obtained positive results with higher doses of HS cake in organic chicken breeding. Mahmoudi et al [18] studied the effects of 2.5-7.5% HS in diets and obtained inconsistent results. The addition of the lowest concentration of HS, 2.5%, led to reduced weight gain and feed intake.…”

Effect of Antioxidants Supplementation on Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Growing Rabbits.

“…On the other hand, the feed industry has begun looking for alternative food additives, which can replace antibiotics in ensuring satisfactory production performance. Therefore, to help meet these demands, a new research has been conducted towards natural food supplements suitable for animal feeding (Tosi et al, 2013;Mahmoudi et al, 2015). The use of probiotics, prepiotic, synbiotics, (in) organic acids, plants and their extracts, enzymes and immune modulators could be used to reduce the use of antibiotics in the production of rabbits (Bovera et al, 2012).…”

Effect of Digestarom®Dietary Supplementation on the Reproductive Performances of Rabbit Does: Preliminary Results

“…On the other hand, as a consequence of this new scenario, feed industry started looking for alternative feed additives, which could replace antibiotics in guaranteeing satisfactory productive performances. Therefore, to help to meet this demand, a new research direction towards natural feed additives suitable for animal nutrition has been taking place (Darabighane et al, 2011;Tosi et al, 2013;Mahmoudi et al, 2015).…”