Evaluating Raw and Heat-Treated Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) with Enzyme Supplementation for Broiler Chicken

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Aref Mahmoodtabar
Farid Shariatmadari
Hamed Ahmadi
Mohammad Amir Karimi Torshizi
Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
10.48311/jast.2026.16873
Abstract
A total of 480 seven-day-old male Arian broiler chickens were divided into five treatment groups with six replicates each. The treatments were offered to the birds for three weeks (days 7 to 28) and included a control group, 10% Raw Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L) supplementation (RH), 10% RH with Enzyme addition (RHE), 10% Heat-treated Hempseed (HH) in the diet, and 10% HH with Enzyme supplementation (HHE). A completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement (raw vs. heat-treated hempseed, with vs. without enzyme supplementation), plus a control group, was used. While dietary treatments (hemp supplementation) significantly increased body weight and feed intake, the heat processing decreased weight gain. Hemp supplementation significantly lowered Coliform and increased Lactobacillus content in the ileum, while processing increased Lactobacillus and enzyme addition decreased E. coli (P< 0.05). Digestibility parameters were positively affected by enzyme addition (P< 0.05), but protein digestibility was reduced by heating. There were no significant interaction effects (enzyme supplementation and heat treatment), except for the total Aerobes count of intestinal micro flora (P< 0.05). In conclusion, hempseed addition in the diet of broiler chickens during 7-28 days of age improved broiler performance and enzyme supplementation improved microbiology and, more profoundly, digestibility parameters.
Keywords
Arian broiler
Coliform
E. coli
Hemp supplementation
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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 28, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 589-600