Performance and Some Blood Biochemical Parameters of Broilers Fed Diets Containing Hemp Seed Oil

This study aimed to explore the impact of incorporating hemp seed oil (Cannabis sativa L.) at 1.5% and 3% levels in broiler diets on broiler performance, carcass yield, weights of some internal organs, and some blood parameters. In total, 132 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were utilized, with the control group (C) receiving a basal diet without supplementation. Experimental groups included 1.5% hemp seed oil (HOA) and 3% hemp seed oil (HOB) added to the basal diet. The 42-day experiment concluded with the total average live weight (LW) for control, HOA, and HOB groups reaching 2637.90, 2647.81, and 2665.68 g, respectively. Average live weight gains (LWG) were 2595.03, 2605.16, and 2622.54 g; average feed intake (FI) amounted to 4044.25, 3880.78, and 3900.36 g, and feed conversion ratio  (FCR) values were 1.56, 1.50, and 1.49, respectively. While LW, LWG, and FI values did not differ significantly between groups (P > 0.05), the addition of hemp seed oil notably improved FCR (P < 0.05). Relative carcass rates and weights of carcass, heart, pancreas, and spleen were similar across groups (P > 0.05). However, liver weight was lowest in the HOA group, and the bursa of Fabricius weight was lowest in the C group (P < 0.05). No statistical differences were observed in serum glucose, albumin, triglyceride, and total cholesterol parameters among groups (P > 0.05). Total protein, HDL-c, non-HDL-c, LDL-c, TAC, and TOC values were significantly influenced by hemp seed oil (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the data suggest that adding up to 3% hemp seed oil to broiler diets can have notable effects on feed conversion ratio and serum biochemical parameters, offering critical health benefits, particularly in improving serum lipid profiles. However, the antioxidant properties of hemp seed oil were found to be weak.