Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude cottonseed oil in isoenergetic diets, with or without supplementation of ferrous sulfate, on performance variables, relative weight of organs, and blood parameters of broilers, and on the economic viability of diets in the periods from 1 to 7 and 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 600 male birds of the Ross line were distributed in a completely randomized design in a (4×2) factorial arrangement with eight treatments (0, 2, 4, and 6% cottonseed oil with and without ferrous sulfate), and five replicates. The following variables were studied: feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion, weight of organs, blood parameters, and yield of carcass and cuts at 21 days. No effects of the levels of cottonseed oil were found on the performance of animals aged 1 to 7 days, or on the relative weights of the organs. In this same period, the weight gain, and the relative weights of heart, liver, and intestine of the animals that received ferrous sulfate were decreased, and feed conversion was worsened. In the period from 1 to 21 days, weight gain increased linearly with the increase in the levels of cottonseed oil. Blood parameters were not influenced by the diets. Crude cottonseed oil can be utilized in diets for broilers in the periods from 1 to 7 and 1 to 21 days of age at up to 6% of inclusion, and supplementation with ferrous sulfate is unnecessary if the differences in metabolization of the cottonseed oil are considered, with and without, it during the diet formulation process.
Highlights
Corn is one of the most commonly utilized raw materials in the formulation of diets for monogastric animals, as an energy food, together with soybean meal, the main protein ingredient.PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0147695 January 25, 2016Cottonseed Oil in Diets for Broilersthe price of these ingredients fluctuates, especially during off-season periods
Birds were housed in 2-m2 boxes containing bunk feeders and pendulum-activated drinkers, located in a masonry shed covered with ceramic tiles and with cement floor
Regarding the addition of ferrous sulfate, no effect was observed on feed intake (p>.05), probably because this compound did not affect the palatability of the diet in the amount added, some authors have reported a significant decrease in feed intake by layer hens in the period from 24 to 28 weeks as the level of iron in the diets was increased [16]
Summary
Corn is one of the most commonly utilized raw materials in the formulation of diets for monogastric animals, as an energy food, together with soybean meal, the main protein ingredient.PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0147695 January 25, 2016Cottonseed Oil in Diets for Broilersthe price of these ingredients fluctuates, especially during off-season periods. Corn is one of the most commonly utilized raw materials in the formulation of diets for monogastric animals, as an energy food, together with soybean meal, the main protein ingredient. In view of the high energy requirement of these birds, lipids of animal origin, like beef tallow, or plant-derived, like the oils extracted from oilseeds, have been used as important energy sources in the formulation of broiler diets [2], so as to meet the energy requirements. Lipids in diets improve the palatability; increase the aggregation of dietary particles; help the digestion and absorption of nutrients such as liposoluble vitamins; and are important sources of essential fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acid [3]
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