Inclusion of full-fat safflower seed (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in broiler diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of various levels of full-fat safflower seed (FFSS) on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens from Arbor Acres strain. Diets containing various levels of FFSS (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) were given to broilers from 21 to 42 day of age. Before experiment beginning, starter feed was given to chicks for 3 weeks. Then, three hundred fifty 21-day-old broiler chickens were weighted and distributed randomly to 5 treatments with 5 replicates (14 chicks in each replicate) in each treatment. Water and feed were provided ad libitum. Blood parameters and carcass characteristics were determined at 42 days of age. FFSS levels did not significantly affect weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Breast yield, thighs, empty gastrointestinal tract, liver and gizzard weight percentages were not affected by dietary treatments, but abdominal fat pad percentage did not significantly decrease. Triglyceride and total serum protein concentrations were not affected by FFSS levels, but cholesterol concentration was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The results of the current study indicated that FFSS could be used up to 20% of broiler diets without any adverse effects on performance or other parameters of chickens.