Abstract
Silicate minerals are common additives in poultry feed. To assess their effects, we added zeolite (ZEO) and methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) to broiler chicken diets. A total of 960 one-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly divided into four dietary groups with six replicates. Each broiler was maintained until it reached 35 days of age. A completely randomized 2 × 2 experimental design was used, with two ZEO (0 and 1.0%) and two MSM (0 and 0.10%) levels. We observed an additive effect (P<0.05) on interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentrations in broiler bursa and serum when both ZEO and MSM were present. Both ZEO or MSM produced significant (P<0.05) increases in body weight, weight gain, and feed intake. Both increased IL-2 and IL-6 levels in the bursa and serum. Neither affected the serum concentrations of albumin, AST, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glucose, total protein, or triglycerides. In summary, these results support supplementation with ZEO and MSM in broiler diets, both separately and in combination.
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