Abstract
Litter sanitation treatments and feed supplements that stimulate bird growth. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of zeolite (z) and halloysite (h) in feed and rye straw litter on growth performance, meat quality in chickens. 500 males Ross 308 were allocated to 5 groups (10 replicates). Feed for groups 2–5 was supplemented with halloysite and zeolite (25:75). The content of aluminosilicates in the feed was different depending on the feeding phase: 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2%. The following doses were used in litter: 2, 0.800 kg/m2 h; 3, 0.400 kg/m2 h and 0.400 kg/m2 z; 4, 0.800 kg/m2 z; 5, 0.200 kg/m2 h, and 0.600 kg/m2 z. Growth, and meat quality were analysed. Body weight and body weight gain were higher in groups 2–5 than in group 1, while feed intake was lower in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Body weight, the weight of carcass, and most of its elements were higher in the experimental groups (p < 0.05). Breast muscles from group 1 were characterised by better water-holding capacity and higher protein content, while those from 4 had higher content of collagen and water (p < 0.05). Breast muscles from group 3 were characterized by lower yellowness than in 2 (p < 0.05). Leg muscles from group 1 were characterized by lower redness than in 4 (p < 0.05). Water-holding capacity was better in group 3 and protein content was higher in 2 (p < 0.05). The content of fat in leg muscle was lower in all experimental groups compared to control (p < 0.05). This indicates the suitability of aluminosilicates in poultry management practice, with better growth and meat quality.
Highlights
Growing poultry industry is facing new challenges associated with the health of birds, and effective production and delivery of good quality safe meat, free from antibiotic residues (Hafez and Attia 2020)
A diet supplemented with natural zeolites at the levels of 15 and 25 g/kg of feed had no significant effect on feed intake, body weight gain or feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens, while in the group where 25 g of zeolite per kg of feed was used feed intake was lower compared to the control group (Oguz and Kurtoglu 2000)
No differences in body weight gain or in the feed conversion ratio were found in broiler chickens fed a diet with the addition of hydrated aluminosilicates at the level of 5 g/kg of feed in a study by Prvulovic et al (2008)
Summary
Growing poultry industry is facing new challenges associated with the health of birds, and effective production and delivery of good quality safe meat, free from antibiotic residues (Hafez and Attia 2020). According to Shariatmadari (2008), findings on the positive effect of zeolites on the quality of production of broiler chickens are inconclusive, but there are some implications supporting this solution with respect to the sanitary conditions on poultry farms and the growth of chickens. These authors suggested that doses of aluminosilicates should be adjusted with consideration of the production system, type of litter, and even the age and sex of birds. The available literature on the effects of aluminosilicates in feed and litter on meat quality in broiler chickens is limited, especially with respect to their combined use, so studies in this area seem to be fully justified
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