Effects of sodium acetate and sodium propionate supplemented diets on growth performance and gut histomorphology of broiler starters

Abstract

In a 21-day feeding trial, 240 one-day old broiler chicks were distributed into five treatments replicated six times with eight birds each to evaluate the effect of sodium acetate, sodium propionate and their combination on growth performance and gut histomorphological parameters of broiler starter. Diet 1 was a basal diet, diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 0.1g/kg oxytetracycline, 4g/kg sodium acetate, 4g/kg sodium propionate and combination of 4g/kg sodium acetate + 4g/kg sodium propionate respectively. Performance indices, morphological measurements and histological examinations were assayed for. Birds fed sodium acetate diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight compared to those fed other diets. However, birds fed sodium propionate diets and the combination were identical with birds fed other treatments. Improved villus height was recorded for birds fed sodium acetate, which did not differ significantly from those fed the combination. Sample sectioning of liver of birds fed antibiotics revealed dissociation of hepatic cords while sodium propionate showed hepatic necrosis. However sodium acetate and the combination showed no observable lesion. Bursa of fabricius of birds fed antibiotics revealed evidence of fibrosis while those fed sodium propionate showed scanty populated follicles. It was concluded that organic salt is a viable feed supplement in broiler diet.

Keywords: Broiler starter, Growth performance, Gut histomorphology and Organic salts