Using of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) as feed additives in broiler chick diets.

The current study set out to determine how broiler chicks' development performance
and economic efficiency would be affected by the addition of fennel seed powder as a natural
feed supplement. One hundred eighty Arbor-Acres broiler chicks, all unsexed, were assigned
randomly into four groups, each consisting of three replicates. At 0, 1, 2, and 3%,
respectively, the chicks were given ad-libitum starter (1-3 weeks days of age) and grower (4-6
weeks of age) basal diets supplemented with or without fennel seed powder. The results
revealed the following: Body weight, weight gain, and ratio of feed conversion of broiler
chicks were significantly (p<0.05) improved when powdered fennel seeds at all levels were
added to the control diets during all experimental periods. At the beginning of the experiment,
broiler chicks' feed consumption increased (p<0.05) by addition fennel seed powder to their
diets; however, during the growth and full experimental periods, this increase in feed
consumption was negligible (p>0.05).