EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF BLACK SEED (NIGELLA SATIVA) ON PERFORMANCE, EGG QUALITY AND BLOOD INDICES OF LAYING BIRDS

Abstract

<strong>Abstract</strong> The aim of this study was to examine the use of <em>Nigella sativa</em> on productive performance, egg quality and blood profile of laying birds. Three hundred ISA-Brown point-of-lay pullets were randomly distributed equally into five dietary treatments replicated six times with ten birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The diets were supplemented with <em>Nigella sativa</em> each at 0, 4, 5, 6 and 7g/kg diet respectively. The feeding trial lasted fourteen weeks. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were observed in the hen day production, feed conversion ration, egg weight, egg length, egg width, shell thickness, haematological parameters and serum biochemistry indices. In conclusion, 6g/kg black seed supplementation level in the diet of ISA Brown laying birds improved hen day production, egg weight, and egg width. However, 7g/kg black seed supplementation reduced feed conversion ratio, improved the pack cell volume, red blood cell count, reduced and cholesterol level. It is therefore recommended that black seed (<em>Nigella sativa</em>) can be added to layers diet at 6g/kg diet as feed additives to enhance production performance and egg width.