Hempseed-based diets supplemented with carbohydrase and butyric acid for broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of hempseed-based diets supplemented with butyric acid and carbohydrase enzyme blend (xylanase + β-glucanase) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, microbial population, and blood biochemistry of broiler chickens. A total of 480 one-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned randomly to five treatments (8 replicates each; 12 birds per pen) described as follows: a corn-soybean control (C), a 16 % hempseed (H), and hempseed + carbohydrase blend enzyme (HE), hempseed + butyric acid (HBA), and hempseed + carbohydrase + butyric acid (HEBA). Sixteen percent of hempseed as a replacement for soybean and additives was administered from days 8 to 28. Hempseed diets, particularly HE and HEBA, demonstrated higher body weight gain and lower feed conversion ratio compared with the control (p < 0.05). Birds fed HEBA diet had the lowest counts of total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, and Lactobacillus, and had significant difference compared control (p < 0.05), while showed higher calcium, and phosphorus levels in their serum (p < 0.05). Hempseed-based diets enhanced intestinal morphology, with greater villus width and villus surface area in the ileum and HBA treatment improved crypt depth and villus height/crypt depth ratio in the jejunum. Apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, and ether extract increased in H and HE. Overall, replacing 16 % hempseed with carbohydrase blend and butyric acid can improve nutrient utilization, intestinal health, and immune status without adverse metabolic effects, confirming hempseed's potential as a sustainable and functional ingredient for broiler nutrition.