Growth performance and hematological parameters of broiler chickens fed gradually increasing levels of supplemental safflower seed

Abstract Fats and oils are used to enhance the palatability of feed, absorb fat-soluble vitamins, and pass digesta through the gastrointestinal tract of poultry. The goal of current study was to see how dietary supplementation of Safflower seed (SS) affected on the production and hematological parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 200 male chickens (7-day-old) were randomly distributed into 5 treatments with each 5 replicate pens of 8 chicks in a 42-day trial. Each group was randomly allocated to one of 5 dietary treatments: (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) SS, respectively. The experimental diets were formulated for starter (7 to 21 days) and finisher (22 to 42 days) phase. Result indicated that inclusion of SS in diet improved body weight and feed conversion ratio during 7 to 42 days ( P < 0.05). The highest and lowest body weight were observed in 5% SS and 0% SS levels, respectively. The obtained results demonstrated a significantly ( P < 0.01) increased content of RBC, HB, PCV, Lymphocytes, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and Platelets in the blood of broiler chickens fed with various levels of SS for five weeks. Findings suggest that, SS may use as natural energy source to increase growth performance and improve hematological parameters.