Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Haemato-biochemical Profile in Ven-cobb Broiler Chicken as Influenced by Dietary Supplementation of Crude Soy Lecithin

Abstract

Day old Ven cobb broiler chicks (n= 288) were randomly allocated to 6 treatment groups (T1-T6) with 4 replicates of 12 chicks in each. The starter (0–14 d), grower (14–28 d) and finisher (28–42 d) diets contained 23, 21.5 and 20% CP and 2900, 3025 and 3100 kcal ME/kg, respectively. Group T1 was control, T2-T6 contained graded levels (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% of diet, respectively) of crude soy lecithin (CSL). The average body weight at 6 week was higher in birds fed diet containing 3% CSL. Birds of all the treatment groups consumed less feed as compared to control, however, there was no significant effect on the feed conversion ratio. The Dry matter metabolizability was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the birds of group T6 as compared to T1, T2 and T3. The apparent metabolizable energy as percent of GE was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group T6 as compared to other treatment groups. Birds in all the groups were in positive N, Ca and P balance. Inclusion of different levels of CSL did not influence the Hb and PCV concentration and also the activity of liver enzymes viz. alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase at 35 d amongst the birds of different groups. The serum cholesterol concentration was low in T6 as compared to control and there was increase in HDL-cholesterol concentration in the groups T4, T5 and T6 as compared to control. The total lipid in breast and thigh muscle was not affected. The cholesterol content of thigh and breast muscles decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the groups fed CSL at 2% level or above as compared to control. It is concluded that crude soy lecithin at a level of 3% of the diet was found beneficial with higher body weight and better FCR.