Effects of dietary ammonium sulphate (AS) on the performance and abdominal fat of broilers

Abstract

Two experiments were designed to investigate the response of broilers to dietary inclusion of ammonium sulphate. In experiment 1, day old chicks were fed diets with 0,1,2 or 3 % ammonium sulphate (AS) during the starter phase (0 –4 weeks). In experiment 2, broilers chicks were raised on a standard diet from 0 – 4 weeks of age and then switched to diets with 0,1,2 or 3% ammonium sulphate during the finisher phase ( 5- 8 weeks). In experiment 1, feed intake was significantly (P0.05). however, in experiment 2, both feed intake and weight gain at market age were significantly suppressed (P0.05). Dietary ammonium sulphate did not affect broilers liveability at any of the period. Protein retention was comparable (P>0.05) while fat availability was significantly reduced (P