Effect of feeding duration of <i>Spirulina platensis</i> on growth performance, haematological parameters, intestinal microbial population and carcass traits of broiler chicks

Abstract This study evaluated effects of unpeeled sweet potato meal (USPM) on performance of finisher broiler chickens. A total of 180 one day-old broiler chicks were used for the experiment. Brooding operation was carried out for 2 weeks. Thereafter, the broiler chickens were managed for additional 2 weeks with provision of starter diet and water ad-libitum. At four weeks old, they were equalized for weight and distributed into three dietary treatments (control, 10% and 15% unpeeled sweet potato meal as partial replacement for maize) each replicated four times with 15 birds per replicate; laid out in a completely randomized design. The birds were managed intensively throughout the experimental period until they attained 7 weeks of age. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Results revealed that the inclusion of unpeeled sweet potato meal up to 15% in diets of finisher broiler chickens did not significantly affect the growth performance indices, haematological parameters, carcass traits and most of the serum metabolites except albumin which showed significant variation and ranged from 1.35 g/dl (15% USPM) to 1.90 g/dl (control). Least significant cost (N129.73) per kg feed was recorded in birds fed diet containing 15% USPM relative to highest cost (N136. 63) per kg feed observed in birds fed control diet. Conclusively, incorporation of unpeeled sweet potato meal up to 15% in diet of finisher broiler chickens reduced cost per kg of broiler finisher diet and had no detrimental implications on growth performance, haematological parameters, serum metabolites and carcass traits in chickens.

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Effects of feeding Isomaltooligosaccharides on the growth performance, carcass traits and immune response of broiler chickens

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v3i2.4256 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 150-157

Author(s):

Khalid M. Gaafar

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Control Group ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Flu Vaccine ◽

Lipids Profile

The research was conducted to study the effect of feeding broiler chickens on diets containing isomaltooligosaccharides on the growth performance, carcass traits and immune response. 90-one day old broiler chicks were used according to completely randomized two treatment groups and one control, 30 birds each. Birds fed ad-libitum on basal starter and grower-finisher diets for 35 day. Diets of treatment`s groups contained 0.5 g/Kg and 1 g/Kg of Isomaltooligosaccharides, while the control group fed on the basal diets without Isomaltooligosaccharides supplementation. Dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with Isomaltooligosaccharides improved body weight, feed conversion, carcass traits, two lymphoid organs weight and log antibody titer against avian flu vaccine. Most of the highest values were for birds fed low levels of Isomaltooligosaccharides. Feed intake decreases as Isomaltooligosaccharides level increases. Dietary supplementation with Isomaltooligosaccharides did not affect the lipids profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL), however the blood VLDL levels decreased with increased levels of Malondialdehyde and Glutathione reductase. Collectively, Dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with 0.5 g/Kg diet of Isomaltooligosaccharides improved growth performance, carcass traits and immune status.

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