The Effect of Zeolite and Organic Acids Supplement on the Performance, Carcass Traits and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The present study was carried out at Poultry Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Thamar University, with aim to study the effect of dietary supplementation of zeolite and organic acids on the performance of broiler chickens. One hundred eight one-day old broiler chicks (Ross) were purchased and randomly divided into 4 experimental groups each group containing 3 replicates with 9 birds in each replicate.: T1 received basal diet and acts as control, T2 received 2% Zeolite, T3 received acidified drinking water by 1% blend of organic acids and T4 received 2% zeolite with acidified drinking water by 1% blend of organic acids. In the starter period (0-3weeks), the best FCR was for the zeolite group and combined group compared to acidified group and control group, but in the grower period (3-6 weeks) the best FCR was in group of blends with organic acids and combined group than the other treatments. Concerning whole experimental period (0-7 weeks) feed intake and weight gain were better in groups of zeolite and blend of organic acids followed by group of combined supplementations than the control group, however; at the end of the experiment the three treated groups recorded the best FCR indices compared to control. This can prove that supplementing diet had a significant (P<0.05) effect on parameters of growth performance. There were significant differences(P<0.05) in the mean value of carcass at the end of experiment, combined group had the best carcass value followed by blend of organic acids and zeolite groups than control. Regarding the weight of heart, liver, spleen, gizzard and proventriculus, organic acids group recorded higher weights followed by zeolite and combined groups than control group. Total protein was significantly (P<0.05) higher in treated groups. however, the blood cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly. The results also revealed that, serum urea and creatinine were lower in treated groups than control. It can be concluded that supplementing broiler diets with zeolite in feed and organic acids in water either alone or in combination have a significant effect on broiler performance, carcass traits and blood parameters, and they have a preferable effect to consumers. So these additives can be used efficiently in broiler diets.