Effect of Black Seed (Nigella sativa L.) on some Reproductive Traits in Ross Broiler Breeder Male Chickens

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa seed and its oil added to the ration on some reproductive characteristics in broiler breeder males. In experiment I, a total of 40 male broiler breeders (45 weeks age) were divided into five equal groups each of 8 cocks. The first group served as control; groups 2 and 3 were fed on 0.5 or 1.0% oil, while groups 3 and 4 were fed on 0.5 or 1.0% N. sativa seed. The supplements were added daily to 135gm basal diet for 9 weeks. The main goal of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of N. sativa seed and its oil on some semen characteristics. Results showed that the addition of either seed or oil of N. sativa to the diet of the male broiler breeders resulted in the best characteristics of semen that studied in the traits. The treated groups showed an increase in ejaculation volume, sperm mass motility, progressive motility, viability percentage, count, and total sperm output. On the other hand, they exhibited a decrease in time of ejaculation and sperm abnormalities. In experiment II, a total of 200 hens and 20 cocks (55 weeks age) were randomly assigned into five equal experimental groups, each group having 4 replicates (10 hens and 1 cock). The hens of all five groups and cocks of first group (control) were fed on the basal ration daily for four weeks, whereas cocks of group 2, 3, 4, and 5 were fed basal ration supplemented with 0.5 or 1.0% oil or 0.5 or 1.0% seed of N. sativa, respectively. The main goal of this experiment was to investigate the effect ofN. sativa on the percentages of fertility and hatchability. Statistical analysis of the results showed significant (p<0.05) improvement on fertility and hatchability percentages using N. sativa in the feed.