Comparative efficacy of different feed additives in broilers

Abstract

Present experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of different feed additives on performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and economics of feeding in broilers. A total of ninety, day old chicks were randomly divided into five treatments; each treatment consisted of three replicates having six chicks each. T1 was standard broiler diet without any feed additive. In dietary treatments T2 calcium sorbate was supplemented @ 3% of the diet. While, in diets T3, T4 and T5 probiotic (Saccharomyces boulardii), synbiotic and antibiotics growth promoter (Bacitracin methylene disalicylate)were supplemented @ 500g/tonne, 1kg/tonne and 500g/tonne respectively. Results indicated significantly (P<0.05) higher performance in terms of body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio in broilers assigned T4 and T5 diets as compared to other groups. Feed intake was similar in all the groups. The retention of dry matter, crude protein and T2, gross energy was improved significantly (P<0.05) in group T2 as compared to control however, it was comparable with T4 and T5 groups. Carcass traits were similar in all the groups irrespective of dietary treatments. Feed cost/kg weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T4 and T5 groups followed by T2 as compared to control and T3 groups. Therefore, it was concluded that feed additives like calcium sorbate, synbiotics and antibiotics growth promoter significantly improve overall performance and economics of feeding in broilers when compared to probiotic supplemented and unsupplemented control groups.