Effects of acidifier supplementation on performance parameter, serum lipoprotein and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken

Abstract

Acidifiers are inorganic chemicals that potentially reduce gastric pH to improve nutrient utilization by suppressing invasion of pathogenic microorganism. One hundred Cobb 500™ broiler chicks were used in a 28-day trial of a completely randomized design to study the effects of acidifier supplementation on performance parameters, carcass characteristics and serum lipoprotein in commercial broiler. Birds were randomly distributed into five dietary treatment groups designated as T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4 where acidifier was supplemented at 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% in drinking water, respectively and each treatment was divided into two replicates having 20 birds per replicate. All birds had free access to ad-libitum feed and water. Results indicated that, weight gain decreased (P<0.001) and feed intake differed significantly at 2nd (P<0.01), 3rd (P<0.05) and 4th (P<0.01) weeks. FCR increased significantly at 2nd (P<0.001) and 4th (P<0.05) weeks. The best FCR was recorded in T4 group and the worst in T0 group at 4th week. Abdominal fat decreased significantly (P<0.001) and gizzard weight increased (P<0.05) at 4th week. LDL differed significantly (p<0.01) at 4th week. The highest LDL was recorded in T4 group and lowest in T0 group. The highest HDL was recorded in T4 group and lowest in T3 group at 3rd week. Similar to 3rd week, HDL differed (p<0.01) at 4th week. The highest HDL was recorded in T1 group and lowest in T4 group. It was concluded that, increasing levels of supplemental acidifier substantially improved performance parameter and carcass characteristics of broiler.