Hempseed included at up to 24 percent of broiler chicken feed significantly improved growth performance and feed efficiency in a 2026 study of 768 chicks, with birds gaining more weight and converting feed to body weight more effectively than controls. Adding special digestive enzymes called multicarbohydrase further enhanced these benefits, particularly at lower hempseed levels. According to Gram Research analysis, hempseed also improved intestinal health by increasing nutrient absorption and promoting beneficial gut bacteria while reducing harmful bacteria.
Researchers tested whether adding hempseed (the nutritious part of hemp plants) and special enzymes called multicarbohydrase to chicken feed could improve how well the birds grow and digest food. They fed 768 young chickens different amounts of hempseed (0 to 24 percent of their diet) with or without the enzymes for three weeks. According to Gram Research analysis, chickens eating hempseed gained more weight, converted feed to body weight more efficiently, and had healthier intestines. The enzymes also helped, especially when combined with lower hempseed levels. This research suggests hempseed could be a valuable ingredient in poultry farming.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article involving 768 broiler chicks found that hempseed inclusion at up to 24 percent of the diet significantly increased body weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio compared to control diets with no hempseed.
In the same 2026 study of 768 chickens, multicarbohydrase enzyme supplementation improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, with the strongest effects observed when combined with lower hempseed levels (0 to 8 percent).
A 2026 study of 768 broiler chicks showed that hempseed and multicarbohydrase enzymes together increased beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria counts and reduced harmful aerobic and coliform bacteria in the intestines.
Research involving 768 chicks in 2026 demonstrated that hempseed increased villus height and improved the villus height to crypt depth ratio across all intestinal segments, indicating enhanced intestinal structure and nutrient absorption capacity.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding hempseed and special digestive enzymes to chicken feed improves growth, weight gain, and gut health in young broiler chickens.
- Who participated: 768 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (a common breed raised for meat) that were divided into different groups and fed different diets for 28 days starting at one week of age.
- Key finding: Chickens fed up to 24 percent hempseed in their diet gained significantly more weight and converted their feed into body weight more efficiently compared to control chickens. The special enzymes further improved weight gain and feed efficiency, with the strongest effects at lower hempseed levels.
- What it means for you: If you raise chickens or work in poultry farming, hempseed appears to be a promising natural feed ingredient that could improve bird health and production efficiency. However, this was a short-term study in young chickens, so results may differ in older birds or over longer periods.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a controlled experiment using 768 young chickens divided into eight treatment groups. From day 8 to day 28 of life, the chickens received different combinations of hempseed levels (none, 8 percent, 16 percent, or 24 percent of their feed) and either no enzyme supplement or a standard dose of multicarbohydrase enzymes (xylanase and beta-glucanase). All chickens started with the same basic diet for the first week to ensure they began at similar weights. The researchers then measured how much weight the chickens gained, how efficiently they converted feed into body weight, how well they digested different nutrients, and the health of their intestinal tissue.
This factorial design (testing multiple factors at once) allowed researchers to see not only how hempseed and enzymes each affected the chickens, but also whether they worked better together or separately. By measuring digestibility and intestinal health, the study revealed the biological mechanisms behind any growth improvements, not just the final weight gain. This approach provides practical information for farmers considering these feed additives.
The study used a large sample size (768 birds), which increases confidence in the results. However, the experiment lasted only 28 days, which is relatively short for evaluating long-term effects. The researchers measured only three types of gut bacteria using culture-based methods, which may have missed other important microbes. The study was conducted in a controlled research setting, so results may differ in commercial farm conditions.
What the Results Show
Hempseed significantly improved chicken growth across all tested levels. Chickens receiving hempseed had higher body weight and body weight gain compared to control chickens, with improvements increasing as hempseed levels increased up to 24 percent. Feed conversion ratio (the amount of feed needed to gain one pound of body weight) improved with hempseed, meaning chickens used their feed more efficiently. The multicarbohydrase enzymes also improved weight gain and feed efficiency, though the effect was smaller than hempseed alone. Importantly, no negative interaction occurred between hempseed and enzymes for growth performance, meaning they could be used together safely.
Hempseed increased how well chickens digested protein, fat, and energy from their feed, but decreased their ability to digest fiber. The enzymes improved overall digestibility of most nutrients, particularly when combined with lower hempseed levels. Hempseed and enzymes both improved intestinal structure by increasing villus height (the finger-like projections that absorb nutrients) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (a marker of intestinal health). The enzymes reduced crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum (early parts of the small intestine), suggesting improved intestinal efficiency. Both hempseed and enzymes increased beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria and reduced harmful aerobic and coliform bacteria in the intestines.
This research builds on earlier studies showing that hempseed can improve poultry performance. The finding that enzymes enhance digestibility aligns with previous research on enzyme supplementation in poultry. However, this study is among the first to systematically test hempseed at multiple levels combined with enzymes, providing more detailed information about optimal inclusion rates. The intestinal morphology improvements support the theory that hempseed and enzymes work partly by enhancing gut health, not just by providing better nutrition.
The study lasted only 28 days, covering only the early growth phase of broiler chickens. Results may differ if hempseed were fed for the entire production cycle (typically 6 to 7 weeks). The researchers used culture-based methods to count bacteria, which only identifies bacteria that can grow in laboratory conditions and may have missed important microbial species. The study was conducted in a controlled research environment, so results may not perfectly match commercial farm conditions with different management practices or environmental stressors. The study did not measure economic costs or compare the price of hempseed to other feed ingredients.
The Bottom Line
Hempseed can be included at levels up to 24 percent in broiler chicken diets to improve growth performance and feed efficiency (strong evidence from this controlled study). Multicarbohydrase enzyme supplementation provides additional modest benefits, particularly at lower hempseed levels (moderate evidence). The combination of hempseed and enzymes appears safe and may provide complementary benefits (moderate evidence). Before implementing these changes on a commercial farm, consult with a poultry nutritionist to ensure the diet remains balanced and cost-effective.
Poultry farmers and feed manufacturers should consider these findings when formulating broiler diets, especially those interested in using alternative or natural feed ingredients. Researchers studying poultry nutrition and gut health will find this work valuable for understanding how plant-based ingredients affect bird performance. Consumers interested in how chickens are raised may appreciate that hempseed is a natural, plant-based feed ingredient. This research is less relevant to backyard chicken keepers raising small flocks, as the economics and practical considerations differ significantly.
Based on this study, improvements in weight gain and feed efficiency would be expected within the first 2 to 3 weeks of feeding hempseed-supplemented diets. Changes in intestinal health and bacterial populations likely occur within a similar timeframe. However, this study only measured effects through day 28 of life, so it is unclear whether benefits persist or change over a full production cycle (typically 6 to 7 weeks for broilers).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hempseed actually improve chicken growth and health?
Yes, a 2026 study of 768 broiler chicks found that hempseed at up to 24 percent of the diet significantly increased body weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio. Hempseed also enhanced intestinal health by improving nutrient absorption and promoting beneficial gut bacteria.
What are multicarbohydrase enzymes and do they help chickens?
Multicarbohydrase enzymes (xylanase and beta-glucanase) break down complex carbohydrates in feed, improving digestibility. In a 2026 study of 768 chicks, these enzymes improved weight gain and feed efficiency, with the strongest effects at lower hempseed levels (0 to 8 percent).
Can I use hempseed and enzymes together in chicken feed?
Yes, the 2026 study found no negative interactions between hempseed and multicarbohydrase enzymes, meaning they can be safely used together. The combination provided complementary benefits, particularly for intestinal health and nutrient absorption.
How much hempseed is safe to add to broiler chicken feed?
The 2026 study tested hempseed levels up to 24 percent of the diet and found consistent improvements in growth and health at all levels tested. However, consult a poultry nutritionist to ensure the complete diet remains balanced and cost-effective for your operation.
How long does it take to see improvements from hempseed in chicken feed?
The 2026 study measured improvements over 21 days (from day 8 to day 28 of life), suggesting benefits appear within the first 2 to 3 weeks of feeding hempseed-supplemented diets. However, the study did not measure effects beyond 28 days.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If managing a flock, track weekly body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (total feed consumed divided by total weight gained) for birds on hempseed-supplemented diets versus control diets. Record the hempseed percentage used and enzyme supplementation status to correlate with performance metrics.
- For poultry farmers using a farm management app, input hempseed inclusion level and enzyme supplementation into the feed formulation tool, then monitor the resulting growth performance data against historical benchmarks. Set alerts if weight gain or feed efficiency falls below expected ranges for the hempseed level being used.
- Establish a baseline of current growth performance and feed costs with standard diets. After switching to hempseed-supplemented feed, track performance metrics weekly for at least 4 weeks. Compare the cost of hempseed per unit of weight gain to the cost of traditional feed ingredients. Document any changes in bird health, mortality, or disease incidence. If using enzymes, track performance separately at different hempseed levels to identify the most cost-effective combination for your operation.
This research describes results from a controlled 28-day study in young broiler chickens and should not be considered medical or veterinary advice. Before making changes to poultry feed formulations, consult with a licensed veterinarian or poultry nutritionist to ensure diets remain nutritionally complete and appropriate for your specific birds and production goals. Results may vary based on chicken breed, age, environmental conditions, and farm management practices. This study measured only short-term effects in young birds, so long-term impacts and effects in older birds remain unclear. Individual birds may respond differently to dietary changes.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.