Effects of Different Levels of Full Fat Safflower Seed on Performance of 21-42 Days Old Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary levels of full fat safflower seed (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of diet) on performance, carcass characteristics and selected blood metabolites of broiler chickens from Arbor Acres Plus strain. The experiment was designed with 350 commercial one-day-old male broiler chickens using completely randomized design with 5 dietary treatments and 5 replications. Prior to the study, a commercial starter diet was fed to broiler chickens for 3 weeks. On day 21 of age 14 birds were allocated to each experimental unit (1.5×1.5 m floor pen). Experimental diets for the five treatments were prepared to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. Broiler chickens were provided with feed and water ad libitum. Data on weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency were recorded weekly basis. At the end of the experiment (42 days of age) one bird from each replication was selected randomly, blood sample was collected and the birds were slaughtered to determine carcass parameters. Inclusion of full fat safflower seed in experimental diets, did not significantly affect weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency. Breast yield, thighs, empty gastrointestinal tract, liver, gizzard and abdominal fat pad percentages to live weight were not affected by dietary treatments. Serum triglyceride was numerically decreased as the full fat safflower seed was increased in the diets. 20% full fat safflower seed diet significantly decreased total serum cholesterol in compare to control group but other levels had no significant difference with control group. In conclusion, feeding different levels of full fat safflower seed did not show any negative effect on performance, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites of broiler chickens.