Effect of dietary vitamin c supplementation on productive, physiological and immunological performance in two local strains of chickens

Abstract: This work was carried out to study the effect of supplemental dietary vitamin C on some productive physiological and immunological parameters of two chicken strains, (Dokki4 and Inshas).
A total number of 240 unsexed-one-day old chicks of each strain were used in this experiment. All chicks were randomly divided into 4 equal groups (60 chicks, each) with three replicates, each chicks were wing banded and individually weighed, to reach nearly similar average initial live bodyweight of all groups. The 1st groups was fed the basal diet without supplemental vitamin C (control), while 2nd , 3rd and 4th groups were fed the basa1 diet supplemented with 750, 1000 and 1500 mg vitamin C/kg, supplemental vitamin C significantly increased (p < 0.05) both of body weight (BW) and body weight grain (BWG) at the end of (12 WKS of age) where the best values were observed for chicks fed diets containing (1000, 1500 mg/kg) of vitamin C in treat T3 and T4, receptively. While the chicks fed diet containing basal diet recorded the lowest values. Inshas birds recorded higher (P<0.05) BW, BWG and best feed conversion values than Dokki4. Treatment 3 resulted in best BWG and feed conversion values for both Inshas and Dokki 4. Treatment 3 decreased (p<0.05) sexual maturity age as compared to the control.
The results showed that increasing the dietary vitamin C concentration to 1500 mg/kg diet (T4) significantly increased feed intake (F1) at the end of the period 12 wks in both to strain. But in layers, the results indicated that feed intake increased at sexual maturity in control than all treats in two strains. FI was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by (90 days), 3rd period (54 wks of production) and with level 4 (1500 mg vit. C /kg) in the 2nd and 3rd period (45 wks and 54 wks of production). In Dokk4 Strain, There is no significant (p < 0.05) effects on FI at any levels of vitamin during different periods except in level 3 (1500 mg of vit C/kg) in the third period in Inshas laying hens of recorded high level of FI compared to Dokk4 laying hens at all three periods. Eggs weight Values affected significantly (p <0.05) by treatment2 (750 mg vit C/kg) and T4 (1500 mg vit C/kg) during I It and 2nd periods (90 days, 45 wks of production) only in Dokk4 strain compared with control. Inshas gave higher egg mass than Dolclc4. The level of vitamin C supplementation (1000 mg/kg) bas a beneficial effect on .antibody titers against primary and secondary New Castel diseases virus, Also, antibody titers of avian influenza virus and sheep red blood cells were significantly improved by level of (1000 mg vit. C/ kg) Compared to control. Enrichment the diet with (1000 or 1500 mg vit. C/kg diet) improved semen quality only at 36 wks of age in both experimental strains.

Publication year

2013

Pages

235-248

Availability location

معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة

Availability number

Organization Name

Animal Production Research Institute (APRI)

serial title

The 4th Scientific Conference of Animal Production Research Institute (APRI)

Author(s) from ARC