Effects of acidifier supplementation on performance parameter, serum lipoprotein and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken

Acidifiers are inorganic chemicals that potentially reduce gastric pH to improve nutrient utilization by suppressing invasion of pathogenic microorganism. One hundred Cobb 500™ broiler chicks were used in a 28-day trial of a completely randomized design to study the effects of acidifier supplementation on performance parameters, carcass characteristics and serum lipoprotein in commercial broiler. Birds were randomly distributed into five dietary treatment groups designated as T₀, T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ where acidifier was supplemented at 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% in drinking water, respectively and each treatment was divided into two replicates having 20 birds per replicate. All birds had free access to ad-libitum feed and water. Results indicated that, weight gain decreased (P<0.001) and feed intake differed significantly at 2^nd (P<0.01), 3^rd (P<0.05) and 4^th (P<0.01) weeks. FCR increased significantly at 2^nd (P<0.001) and 4^th (P<0.05) weeks. The best FCR was recorded in T₄ group and the worst in T₀ group at 4^th week. Abdominal fat decreased significantly (P<0.001) and gizzard weight increased (P<0.05) at 4^th week. LDL differed significantly (p<0.01) at 4^th week. The highest LDL was recorded in T₄ group and lowest in T₀ group. The highest HDL was recorded in T₄ group and lowest in T₃ group at 3^rd week. Similar to 3^rd week, HDL differed (p<0.01) at 4^th week. The highest HDL was recorded in T₁ group and lowest in T₄ group. It was concluded that, increasing levels of supplemental acidifier substantially improved performance parameter and carcass characteristics of broiler.