The Effects of Dried Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) on Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Biochemical Parameters of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate dose for dried wormwood (W) in Ross 308 broiler diets. Wormwood was added to diets in different doses for a period of 42 days. The doses were W0 (Control), W1 (11.76), W2 (23.53), W3 (35.29) and W4 (47.06 g kg(-1)). In this experiment, a total of 180 chicks were used. Results showed that there was no significant differences in live weight and feed conversion ratio except for feed consumption among treatment groups (P<0.01). Feed consumption was negatively correlated with the increase of wormwood doses in the diet. Liver and pancreas weights in the W1 group was significantly higher than those of the other groups (P<0.05). Blood parameters indicated that ceruloplasmin and phosphorus were significantly higher in W2 group than those of other groups (P<0,05), on the other hand triglyceride (P<0,01) was found significantly lower in all treatment groups when compared to the control (W0) group. As a conclusion, W1 (11.76 g kg-1) was determined to be the most suitable dose in broiler rations.