Effects of using different levels of black cumin exrtract during incubation on heart and lung weiht of broiler chicks

In this study, changes in heart and lung weights of broiler chicks were investigated depending on the breeder age and the amount of herbal extract at different levels applied in the incubator. A total of 1920 eggs obtained from Ross 308 broiler young (34 weeks), middle-aged (43 weeks), and old (59 weeks) breeder flocks were used. During the incubation period, the eggs were sprayed with four different levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ml / l) of water-soluble black cumin (Nigella sativa) extract. At the end of the incubation period, the obtained chick weight, heart weight and lung weight data were compared. It was observed that breeder age affected chick and heart weight (p < 0.05), but did not affect lung weight (p > 0.05). Older breeders had higher chick and heart weights than younger and middle-aged flocks (p < 0.05). It was observed that the extract application only affected the heart weight, the heart weight in the 1.0 ml application was higher than the control group and the 0.5 ml group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the interaction effect was found to be significant, it was seen that there were numerical differences depending on the application level in the examined traits, these numerical differences were more evident especially in old breeders and at application levels other than 2.0 ml, and the differences between some groups were found to be significant (p < 0.05). As a result of the research, it was determined that breeder age affects the weights of the chick and heart weight, while the spraying black cumin extract in the incubation affects the heart weight to a certain level. It would be beneficial to continue the studies on the subject and to carry out more detailed studies, including growing and slaughtering stages, regarding the use of different plant extracts alone or together.