Comparing the Effect of Diets Treated with Different Organic Acids on Growth and Economic Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to compare the growth and economics of adding organic acids to diets of broiler chickens. The organic acids were sorbic benzoic lactic and propionic acids. 150 day old Hubbard chicks were used. There were five treatments. Diet 1 which served as control contained no organic acid. Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively contained 0.25% sorbic benzoic lactic and propionic acids. There were three replicates per treatment each having 10 birds. Completely randomized design (CRD) was used. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for eight weeks the experiment lasted. Live weight was significantly (P<0.05) improved at starter phase by propionic acid. Live weight and feed intake were significantly reduced by benzoic acid. Propionic acid significantly (P<0.05) improved feed: gain ratio. At the finisher phase Sorbic lactic and propionic acids gave better live weight than control and benzoic acid. Total feed intake was improved by lactic and propionic acids. Weight gain and feed: gain ratio were not significant (P>0.05). Cost/kg feed was increased by organic acids. Feed cost per bird was significantly (P<0.05) increased by sorbic lactic and propionic acids. Benzoic acid significantly (P<0.05) reduced gross margin. Other organic acids posted similar gross margin as control. In conclusion propionic lactic and sorbic acids could be used in diets for broilers in terms of growth performance

Keywords: broiler chickens, economics, growth, organic acids.