Effects of feeding sunflower meal with or without enzyme supplementation and acidified sodium chlorite on growth performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chicken

The effects of feeding sunflower meal (SFM) with or without enzyme and acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) treatment on growth performance in broiler chicken were investigated as per 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design involving three dietary inclusion levels of SFM viz. 0, 7.5%, and 15%, with or without enzyme supplementation and ASC treatment. The results showed that feed intake increased (P < 0.05) in diet containing 15% sunflower seed meal SFM as compared to control or diet containing 7.5% SFM. Enzyme supplementation showed higher feed intake during starter phase and ASC treatments during the finisher and overall phases. Diets containing 0 and 7.5% SFM showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in the BWG compared to the birds fed on 15% SFM in the diet. Enzyme supplementation produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain in the finisher and over all phase of growth. ASC treatment produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain during starter phase. Birds fed on diets containing 0% SFM showed (P < 0.05) better FCR values as compared to the birds which received diets containing either 7.5% or 15% of SFM. Enzyme supplementation caused significantly (P < 0.05) better FCR during finisher and over all phases of growth as compared to the control diet. The study envisaged that incorporation of sunflower seed meal up to 7.5% level in broiler diet either with or without enzyme supplementation or acidified sodium chlorite treatment was found beneficial for body weight gain or feed conversion efficiency up to seven weeks of age. Moreover, sunflower meal can be incorporate up to 15% in the broiler rations supplemented with enzyme and acidified sodium chlorite.