Effect of dietary inclusion of Silybum marianum oil extraction byproduct on growth performance, immune response and cecal microbial population of broiler chicken

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Silybum marianum oil extraction byproduct (SMOEB) supplementation on performance and some physiological parameters of broiler chickens. Treatments were consisted of different levels of SMOEB (0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% of the diet). From day 8-21, dietary inclusion of 3%, 9% and 12% of SMOEB into the diet increased (P<0.05) feed intake and body weight gain of broilers. From day 22-42, increasing SMOEB level increased feed intake linearly. Increasing SMOEB level increased FI linearly and quadratically from day 8-42. On day 16, a higher value was recorded for wingweb thickness in birds that were received 9% of SMOEB in the diet only at 24h following the PHA-P injection (P<0.05). The higher value was observed for CBH response at 12 and 24h post-injection on day 21and day 35 in broilers were fed by 9% of SMOEB supplemented into the diet for toe web thickness. It can be concluded that SMOEB could be added to the diet of broilers without any adverse effect on performance parameters and also, it can improve immune parameters of birds at levels up to 12%.