Investigating the impact of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on liver health, gut health and immune status of broilers

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is commonly utilized in poultry farming due to its content of silymarin which has a positive impact on liver function, immune response, and overall growth performance. This study aimed to assess the effects of milk thistle on the production performance of broiler chickens. A total of 300 Vencobb 430 Y broilers were raised over a five-week period. The chicks were randomly assigned to five groups (A, B, C, D, and E), with each group consisting of 60 birds, further divided into six replicates of 10 birds each. The treatment plan was as follows: Group A-control, receiving diet containing herbal choline at 250 g/T without milk thistle. Groups B, C, D, and E received diets supplemented with herbal choline at 250 g/T, but with milk thistle incorporated at 5 g/T, 10 g/T, 15 g/T, and 20 g/T, respectively. The parameters like liver function tests-SGPT, SGOT, Alkaline phosphatase, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin and GGT; Gut health parameters-Total Viable count and total coliform count and immunity parameters like HI titers for ND and IBD were carried out. The results reported no significant differences (p≥0.05) in any of the liver function values, total viable count, total coliform count and HI titers for ND and IBD for the birds from different treatment groups. However, the values of liver function tests and Total viable and total coliform counts were numerically lower in the treatment groups as compared to the control. Thus, it can be concluded that milk thistle is beneficial in improving the liver and gut health in broilers without any negative impact on the health and performance of the birds.