Immune-responsiveness and performance of broiler chickens fed black cumin (Nigella Sativa L.) powder

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The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of various levels of dietary black cumin seed (BCS) on immune-responsiveness, broiler performance and lymphoid organs’ ratio scores against NDV, IBV and IBDV vaccines. One hundred and sixty-one day-old broiler chicks (Rose 308) were randomly assigned into five groups with three replicates of seven birds each (21 chicks per group) and fed diets supplemented with 0.7%, 1.4%, 2.1% or 2.8% black cumin. All chickens were bled weekly for 35days post-treatment. Body weights, thymus, bursa and spleen ratio scores were determined at 21 and 35days while body weight was determined weekly. The results revealed non-significant differences in body weight between all groups compared to the control group. Antibody titers against NDV also exhibited non-significant differences at third, fifth and sixth weeks of the experiment between treated groups while they were significantly different from the control group. At the fourth week, group C showed significantly different antibody titers from other treated groups. However, antibody titers against IBV were significantly different in the fifth and sixth weeks against the control group. Similar results were recorded with IBDV vaccine compared to the control group while group C had significant differences in titers at 4, 5 and 6weeks post-vaccination. Lymphoid organs, namely thymus, bursa and spleen showed non-significant differences between groups. This study showed that dietary supplement of black cumin seed at the level of 1% or 1.4% would enhance immune responsiveness in broiler chickens.