Nutrient Utilization and Growth Performance of Broilers on Dietary Supplementation of Acidifiers

Supplementation of broiler diet with different levels of acidifiers (lactic acid and formic acid on an inert carrier) was investigated on day old chicks (200) of ‘Vencob’ strain for 42 days. The chicks were randomly divided into four groups of 50 each: C - Control, T1- Control + acidifier @ 2 kg/ton in starter and grower and 1kg/ton in finisher, T2- control + acidifier @ 1.5 kg/ton in starter and grower and 1.5kg/ton finisher and T3- 5% less nutrients than in control + acidifier as in T2.. The birds were raised on ad lib feed and water with continuous lighting. In first two weeks, the feed intake in control group was higher than in treatment groups, however, it was significantly higher in treatment groups in subsequent four weeks. The average weekly live weight and weight gain of birds in group T1were significantly higher than in groups T2, T3 and control, showing beneficial effects of acidifier especially at higher level. In group T3 the nutrient concentration was reduced by 5%, which may be a reason for lower weight gain. The feed conversion ratio was narrow in group T1 during the whole experimental period which indicated better utilization of nutrients in the broilers supplemented with acidifiers @ 2kg/tonn.