Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clinoptilolite (a natural zeolite) on growth and performance of broilers as well as on the quality of their litter. A total of 5,200 one-day old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were used in two consecutive rounds lasting 42 days each. The broilers were given free and continuous access to a nutritionally non-limiting diet (in meal form) that was either a basal diet (B) or a 'zeolite diet' (Z; the basal diet supplemented with clinoptilolite at a level of 2%). A 2x2 factorial design consisted of two feeding treatments (B and Z) and two bedding types, sawdust (S) and sawdust with zeolite (Sz, which was the result of adding 2 kg zeolite/m 2 ), was used. In each round the broilers were randomly assigned to one of four (n = 650), treatment groups: two fed on the basal diet (B) and had bedding of either sawdust (group BS) or sawdust and zeolite (group BSz) and two fed on the Z diet and had as bedding either sawdust (ZS) or sawdust and zeolite (ZSz). Average growth rates were significantly (p<0.05) different between broilers of different groups; broilers that were fed on the 'zeolite diet' (Z) and were placed either in a compartment with sawdust bedding or sawdust bedding and zeolite (ZS and ZSz) as well those that were fed on the basal diet in a compartment with sawdust bedding and zeolite (BSz) grew at a faster rate (p<0.05) compared with those of the control group (BS). The incorporation of NZ in broilers diets and in their bedding material decreased the organic content in litter samples throughout the experimental period. The lowest organic content was recorded in group ZSz where NZ was added in both feed and litter. Mean ammonia concentration (ppm) was significantly higher in group ZS in comparison to groups BSz and ZSz (27.00 vs. 20.55 and 21.71 respectively). The results of this study showed that the incorporation of the clinoptilolite both in feed and into the litter had a positive effect on broiler growth and also on the quality of their litter.
Highlights
One of the priorities of today’s industrialized poultry production is the control of excreta/litter moisture and quality, which implies reduction of their amount and content as well as their utilization and disposal (Francesch and Brufau, 2004; Kim et al, 2006)
The other two groups comprised of broilers that were fed on the ‘zeolite diet’ (Z) and were placed either in a compartment with sawdust bedding or sawdust bedding and zeolite, called ZS and ZSz, respectively
Average growth rates were significantly (p
Summary
One of the priorities of today’s industrialized poultry production is the control of excreta/litter moisture and quality, which implies reduction of their amount and content as well as their utilization and disposal (Francesch and Brufau, 2004; Kim et al, 2006). The need of alternative approaches to address the aforementioned problems is relevant in the case of nutritional aspects that could modify the moisture and quality of poultry excreta/litter (Francesch and Brufau, 2004) and the use of chemicals as litter and manure additives (McCrory and Hobbs, 2001; Nahm, 2005a). The need to establish management practices to reduce or to eliminate the pollutants from poultry farms necessitates the research on natural alternatives for safe use in poultry production. Such alternatives are natural zeolites, which have favorable effects on the growth and performance of different species of animals including poultry (Mumpton and Fishman, 1977; Karamanlis et al (2008) Asian-Aust.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
