Effects of hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) in diet on growth, gut health, and immunity in broilers

• Published in: The Veterinary quarterly 2024-12, Vol.44 (1), p.1-10
• Main Authors: Sana, Bushra, Chand, Naila, Naz, Shabana, Alhidary, Ibrahim A., Khan, Rifat Ullah, Shamsi, Shamsuddin, Losacco, Caterina, Tufarelli, Vincenzo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animal husbandry; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena - drug effects; Animals; Body weight; Body weight gain; Broiler; Cannabis; Cannabis - chemistry; Cannabis sativa; Chickens - growth & development; Chickens - immunology; Chickens - physiology; Conversion ratio; Diet; Diet - veterinary; Dietary fiber; Dietary Supplements; Digestive system; Fatty acids; Feed conversion; Feeds; Gastrointestinal tract; Gastrointestinal Tract - drug effects; Gastrointestinal Tract - immunology; gut pH; Hemp; histology; Immune response; Immunity; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Leukocytes; Livestock; Male; Marijuana; Milk; Mortality; Nutrition research; Phases; Poultry; Proteins; Raw materials; Science; Seeds; Villus; Weight Gain - drug effects
• ISSN: 0165-2176; 1875-5941; 1875-5941
• DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2024.2367214

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of different levels of hempseed (HS) on growth performance, immunity and gut health in broiler chickens. A total of 192 Hubbard broiler chicks were divided into four groups and fed HS as follow: control (HS0), HS 10% (HS-10), HS 15% (HS-15) and HS 20% (HS-20). The study on HS supplementation in broilers revealed no significant impacts on feed intake during the starter (p = .2294) and finisher phases (p = .2294), or overall (p = .0944), though numerical increases were noted with higher HS levels. Body weight gain showed no significant influence in the starter and finisher phases, with overall weight gain also not significantly different (p = .0944), but numerically higher with increased HS. Feed conversion ratio was unaffected in the starter (p = .6986) and finisher phases (p = .6425), and overall (p = .2218). Dressing percentage (p = .1062) and mortality (p = .1631) were not significantly altered, but HS-20 had the highest dressing percentage and lowest mortality numerically. White blood cell counts increased significantly (p = .0377), especially in HS-15 and HS-20 groups. IgM and IgG production was higher in HS-20 on day 28 (p = .021). Gut pH (p > .05) and intestinal histomorphology (p > .05) were not significantly affected, although villus height increased numerically with higher HS levels. These results suggest potential benefits of HS, especially at higher inclusion levels. In conclusion, the obtained results indicated that HS incorporation into the diet of broilers did not affect the growth performance and gut health; however, the immune responses were significantly higher at 15 and 20% levels.