Effect of organic acid treated drinking water on growth of broiler chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of treating drinking water with different organic acids on growth performance of broiler chickens. The organic acids were acetic, butyric, citric and formic acids. One hundred and fifty (150) day old Abor Acre chicks were used. The experiment was divided into five treatments with treatment 1 serving as the control, while treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively were offered drinking water treated with 0.25% acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA), citric acid (CA) and formic acid (FA). Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The experiment was arranged as completely randomized design (CRD). Results shows that except for BA organic acids significantly (P<0.05) improved final weight, daily weight gain, and protein efficiency ratio with AA having the highest (P<0.05) value at the starter phase. Also at the starter phase, daily water intake was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by BA, CA and FA. At the finisher phase, final body weight and daily gain were improved (P<0.05) by all the organic acids except BA. Final weight was better in AA compared to BA. There was no difference (P>0.05) in final weight between BA, Ca and FA. Daily feed and protein intakes were not affected (P>0.05). All the organic acids significantly (P<0.05) produced better feed: gain ratio. Only AA gave better protein efficiency ratio compared to the control. While AA, CA and FA encouraged water consumption, it was reduced (P<0.05) by BA. It is concluded that AA, CA and FA could be added in the drinking water for broilers for improved performance.