Evaluation of Performance, Blood Biochemical indices and Immune Response of Broilers Fed Pistachio Hull Extract (Pistacia Vera) of Fandoghi and Kaleghochi

In order to investigate the effects of Aqueous extract of phenolic compounds in green hulls of two varieties Pistachios green hull Kaleghochi and Fandoghi on performance and carcass characteristics, blood biochemical parameters and immune response of broiler, a total of 220 male day old chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to 20 experimental units in a completely randomized design with five treatments, four replicates and 11 birds each. Treatments were 0, 200 and 400 mg/kg of water extract of Kaleghochi and 200 and 400 mg/kg of water extract of fandoghi. Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured at the end of each of three nutrition periods including starter (0-10 days), grower (11-24 days) and end (25-46 days). Two birds of each replicate were slaughtered and bleed to measure the blood biochemical parameters and immune system at 24 and 46 days. Results were indicated that the body weight gain and feed intake were higher in 400mg/kg Kaleghochi pistachio hulls extract as compared to control. The FCR were decreased when birds fed 400mg/kg Kaleghochi pistachio hulls extract. There were no significant differences among treatments for relative weight of carcass organs except for abdominal fat. The both pistachio hulls extract decreased the abdominal fat, cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL (P<0.05). The enzyme activity of aspartate aminotransferase was decreased when birds fed both pistachio hulls extract. The pistachio hull extract improved the immune response against SRBC as compared to control. It is concluded that supplementation of Kaleghochi and/or Fandoghi pistachio hulls extract may improve the performance, immune response, decrease abdominal fat and blood lipid profile of broiler chickens.