Response of growing cockerels to different sources of ascorbic acid

A study was conducted to determine the response of growing cockerels to different sources of ascorbic acid (AA). The sources of ascorbate (vitamin C) tested were industrial, medical and natural (Baobab pulp) in a completely randomized design. Feed intake, feed:gain and weight gain were affected (P<0.05) by the different sources of vitamin C. Birds fed diet containing medical source of ascorbic acid recorded the highest (P<0.05) weekly feed intake and weight gain of 582 and 101g/bird/week, respectively. Birds fed baobab source of AA had the lowest weekly feed intake and weight gain of 381 and 75 g/bird/week, respectively. Mortality, nutrient retention (protein and fat), haematology and relative weights of organs and primal cuts were not significantly different (P>0.05) for the various treatments studied. Plasma vitamin C level varied significantly (P<0.05) among the birds on the different treatments. The highest (17 g/dl) and lowest (5.71 g/dl) values were recorded for birds fed medical vitamin C and control diets, respectively. Vitamin C content of baobab pulp was 250 mg/100g. Overall, ascorbate was important for broiler production and especially in on-farm conditions in rural tropical environments for which baobab's availability may be readily exploited.