A group of farmers in Thailand teamed up with Chiang Mai University to carry out a unique experiment in which chickens were fed cannabis instead of antibiotics.
“Focus” magazine said that the decision was made to feed hemp to chickens after an outbreak of bronchitis among those birds, despite receiving their dose of antibiotic, and it seems that the results were positive, as the chickens were cured, and the quality of their meat and eggs improved.
The experiment included more than a thousand chickens that consumed cannabis in a variety of ways, either directly from the leaves or by drinking the infusion of these leaves.
Co-author of the trial Chompont Lumsangkul explains that levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance of the plant, and cannabidiol (CBD), a compound used as a natural remedy for anxiety, ranged from 0.2 to 0.4%.
It is noteworthy that hemp-fed chicken is sold for 100 Thai baht per kilo (about 2.70 euros), which is higher than the regular price (about 1.60 euros per kilo).
Lumsangkul says with regard to the effect of cannabis on chickens, it is not certain that it is a positive effect. Cannabis may have stimulated the health of the intestines and immunity in chickens, thus improving the performance of the intestines, which means that more experiments are needed.
Thai experience.. Giving chicken weed instead of antibiotics
