Science Letters

Effect of Nigella Sativa on poultry health and production: A review

Tamoor Azeem a, Zaib-Ur-Rehman b, Sajid Umar a*, Muhammad Asif a, Muhammad Arif c, Abdur Rahman c

a Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

b Department of poultry production, Faculty of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

c Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Incidences of antibiotic residues and drug resistance against pathogenic organism are common due to inclusion of antibiotics in poultry diet. It is the dire need of the time to use natural and effective alternative to synthetic antibiotics. Nigella sativa (black cumin) seed could be the most suitable alternative to antibiotics in poultry nutrition. Nigella sativa not only promote bird's health and production performance, but also plays a significant role as a natural antioxidant and immuno-stimulant. The poly-unsaturated fatty acids share is almost double than mono-unsaturated fatty acids in oil content of black seed, so it reduces the total cholesterol content. The bioactive compounds in black cumin are anticancerous. The present review describes the natural beneficial effect of Nigella sativa on poultry health and production when used in poultry diet.

Keywords: Nigella sativa, black cumin, poultry, nutrition.

Received May 12, 2014; Revised June 06, 2014; Accepted August 02, 2014

*Corresponding Author: Sajid Umar; Email: sajncvi@gmail.com