Performance, biochemical profile and antioxidant activity of hens supplemented with addition of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed cakes in diet

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of milk thistle seed cakes addition in laying hens diet to performance, blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant activity. A total of 30 Bovans Brown hens were included to the experiment. The trial was performed from the age of 69 weeks to 80 weeks of hens age. The experimental group received feed mixture containing 7% milk thistle seed cakes. Control group received feed mixture without milk thistle seed cakes. After the 69th week of age, the laying hens in the experimental group reached a higher number of eggs and produced more egg mass compared to the control group. In the evaluation of the egg quality parameters, higher Haugh units, a higher millimeter height of the egg and thinner eggshell in the group receiving 7% of the seed cakes were found. When evaluating health indicators, higher antioxidant activity was found in the experimental group. Blood biochemical parameters was without any differences.