COMPARATIVE ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF NIGELLA SATIVA AND LINCOMYCIN IN THE GUT OF BROILER CHICKS

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is an important herb with multiple pharmacological activities. Therapeutic properties of N. sativa based on the availability of thymoquinone (TQ) which is an essential oil and an active chemical component. Current study was designed to investigate the antibacterial effect of N.sativa in comparison with lincomycin, as growth promoter in the gut of broiler chicks. Activity of N. sativa powder on feed conversion ratio in broiler chicks was also recorded. Day old birds were taken and divided into three groups and having three biological replicates in each treatment group (6 chicks). First group was control group that received normal diet; second group received the normal diet with growth promoter and third group fed with routine diet and powder of N. sativa. Birds were slaughtered at the end of study period (day 36th). Blood and tissue samples were collected on 28thand 36th day of trial. The results of this study showed that addition of 1% N. sativa powder appeared to have a positive impact on growth performance of broiler chicks as it improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers at finisher phase (P<0.05) and it could be considered as a substitute of antibiotic growth promoter (lincomycin) for broiler chicks.