A review on the effect of Silybum marianum and its derivatives on broilers under healthy and aflatoxicosis conditions: part 1: performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and intestinal microflora

SUMMARYSilybum marianum (SM) and its compounds are used as dietary supplements to improve the performance and health of chicks especially when fed broiler diets contaminated with aflatoxins. Use of SM derivatives from 0.2% to 0.8% in feed had no negative effects on the performance of broilers, but increasing SM level to 15% reduced average body weight (1620.02 g) compared to control groups (1815.04 g). Feed conversion ratio in broilers receiving...