Effect of dietary supplementation of propionic and butyric acids on performance, nutrients digestibility and health of broiler chicks
Abstract: This study was conducted to compare effect of feeding deferent types and levels of organic acids being Propionic (0.25, 0.5and1.0% PA) and Butyric Acids (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% BA). A total number of 189 one d-old Arbor-Acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into 7 treatment groups, each in three replicates of 9 chicks per replicate. The experiment was lasted when chicks were 42 d old. Performance, pH of some gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) segments, organ morphology, cecal bacteria, blood metabolites, nutrients digestibility and carcass characteristics were measured. Results indicated that tested organic acids improved performance of broiler chicks measured as body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. European Production Efficiency Index (EPEI) significantly improved compared with the control group. Dietary 0.5% PA significantly improved nutrients digestibility of the experimental diets OM, EE, NFE and ME compared to the control. However, the supplementation of PA had no significant effect on the digestibility of CP and CF. While, 0.25 BA significantly improved OM, EE and ME compared to the control and CP significantly improved by using 0.1 % BA compared the other treatments and the control. The pH values were significantly reduced (p<0.01) in different GI-tract segments of the chicks compared to chicks fed the control. Lactobacillus count and coliforms were significantly increased when fed diets supplemented with 0.5 % PA and 0.2% BA compared to the control. While, anaerobes and E. Coli were significantly increased by feeding control diet. Villus height was significantly higher of all organic acids supplementation fed groups. Calcium, phosphorus, total protein and globulin in serum blood were significantly increased by 0.5% PA and 0.2% BA compared to the control. Relative weights of lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa of fabrics) were significantly higher by supplementing the tested organic acids compared to the control group. Carcass characteristics were not significantly affected by PA. Also, BA had no adverse effect on carcass characteristics, where, increased in thigh weight and decreased in abdominal fat were observed compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary 0.5% Propionic acid as well as 0.2% Butyric acid could be used safely to improve performance and health of broiler chickens. Key words: Propionic acid, butyric acid, broiler, performance, digestibility, serum, morphology, pH and bacteria.
Publication year 2014
Pages 135-152
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City العين السخنة
serial title 7th International Poultry Conference – Proceeding
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    عبدالله غزالة جامعة القاهرة
    عبد الرحمن محمد محمد عطا جامعة القاهرة
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Bacteria. Broiler chickens. Butyric acid. Digestibility. Performance testing. Ph. Propionic acid.
Publication Type Conference/Workshop
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