Abstract
Duration of Feeding Black seed (Nigella sativa) to Broiler Chicks and Its Effect on Immune Response, Cholesterol and Gut Microflora. ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding duration of black seed cumin (Nigella sativa) to broiler chicks on immune response, serum cholesterol level and gut microflora. Six hundred and forty one day old broiler chicks (Cobb) were randomly assigned into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 20 birds each. Diet containing 2% black seed cumin (Nigella sativa), were given to chicks for one week, two weeks and three weeks while the fourth group fed normal diet (control). The Elisa test for detection of antibody against new castle vaccine, the serum cholesterol level and the coliform count in ceacum were determined. All groups supplemented with 2% Black seed cumin had a significantly (P≥0.05) higher antibody titer against new castle vaccine than the control group. In addition, the group received three weeks supplementation of black seed cumin had a significantly (P≥0.05) higher antibody titer than the other two groups supplemented with black seed cumin. Cholesterol level in the serum was not affected in this experiment. The gut microflora count was significantly (P≥0.05) reduced. This study showed that black seed cumin at the level of 2% would increase antibody response to new castle vaccine and duration of supplementation had a positive impact on immune response and reduced coliform count in the gut.