Effect of Dietary Addition of Organic Acid on Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Carcass Traits of Broiler Chicken

Influence of organic acids (formic acid and propionic acid) supplementation in diets on the performance, serum biochemical parameters and carcass traits of broiler chicken were evaluated. Control starter (0–3 wk) and finisher (4–5 wk) diets (2900 kcal ME/kg with 22% CP, and 3000 kcal ME/kg with 20% CP, respectively) were formulated, in addition, five experimental diets were constituted with the inclusion of furazolidone (50g/100kg diet) or organic acids such as formic acid: propionic acid (FA:PA) in two different combinations (60:40; 80:20) and concentrations (0.5; 1.0%). Each diet was offered ad libitum in cages to 6 replicates of 6 chicks each from day-old to 6 weeks of age. Addition of furazolidone to control diet significantly improved the body weight gain during both starter and finisher phases but not the feed conversion ratio. Dietary addition of FA and PA at 0.5% in both the combinations (60:40; 80:20) produced comparable body weight as that of furazolidone group. Highest body weight gain and feed conversion ratio was observed in the dietary group containing 1% of organic acid (FA:PA; 60:40). Dietary inclusion of either antibiotic or organic acid significantly reduced theE. coli counts in crop and caecum. The concentrations of serum protein and calcium (Ca) increased and that of cholesterol decreased significantly by dietary addition of organic acids. Formic acid and propionic acid at 1% concentration produced significantly higher carcass yield and lower fat than at 0.5% in both the combinations. It is concluded that formic acid and propionic acid at 60:40 combination with 1% concentration in the diet of broiler chickens elicited optimum performance.