Effects of different levels of Silybum marianum L. medicinal plant powder on performance, blood biochemical parameters and blood cells of laying hens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of Silybum marianum L. aerial parts powder on performance، egg quality، blood biochemical parameters، and blood cells of laying hens. A number of 240 Hy-line (W36) laying hens from 65 to 76 weeks were used in five treatments and four replicates (12 birds per each replicate) in a completely randomized design. The powder of Silybum marianum L. was 0، 0. 5، 1، 1. 5 and 2% of the diet. The results showed that the diet containing 2% of Silybum marianum L.، in comparison with control group، increased the amounts of egg weight، egg production percentage، egg mass and feed intake (p<0. 05). Whereas، the highest amount of egg weight and egg specific gravity and eggshell percentage were observed with 1% of Silybum marianum L. (p<0. 01). The use of Silybum marianum L. in diets caused the values of blood triglyceride، cholesterol، albumin and total protein to be decreased (p<0. 05). The diet containing 2% Silybum marianum L. had increasing effects on hematocrit، hemoglobin and white blood cells (p<0. 05). The overall results indicated that in laying hens، the use of Silybum marianum L. up to 2% of diet significantly improved the performance، egg quality traits، biochemical parameters، and blood cells.