Impact of dietary milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass cuts of Karadi lambs

AbstractBackground: Karadi lambs usually have slow growth and only fair carcass yields because of local environmental and genetic factors. Milk Thistle Seed Powder (MTSP), which possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties due to its bioactive compounds, could be added to feed to help improve performance and meat quality. Aims: This study assesses how dietary MTSP impacts the growth, carcass properties, and cut yields of Karadi lambs. Methodology: This study used twenty Karadi male lambs, aged four to five months, with an initial average body weight of 25 ± 1 kg. The lambs were randomly assigned to four groups and fed diets containing 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% milk thistle seed powder over a ninety-one-day period. The study measured lamb growth, carcass traits, and carcass cuts. Statistical analysis using Duncan’s Multiple Range Method (MRM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that milk thistle seed powder supplementation had a measurable impact on most of the traits studied. The first two principal components accounted for over 99% of the total variation and separated the groups by MTSP level. Results: Karadi lambs supplemented with 2–3% MTSP surpassed the control group in Average Daily Gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (P ≤ 0.05), hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight and dressing percentages (P ≤ 0.01), as compared to the control group lambs. Improved carcass yield was demonstrated by larger major primal cuts like the leg, loin, and shoulder. Lambs fed 1% Milk thistle seed supplementation showed moderate improvements, while control group had the poorest performance. Conclusion: Generally, adding 2–3% MTSP improved growth, feed conversion ratio, and carcass characteristics in Karadi lambs, confirming that milk thistle seed can be a practical natural feed additive for better ruminant performance.