Effect of supplementing butyric acid on growth performance and carcass quality traits in broiler

The effect of supplementing different levels of butyric acid on the growth performance and carcass characteristics traits on broiler chickens was observed in the present experiment. One hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 400) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (Control, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of Butyric acid). Each treatment was replicated three times with15 birds/replicate. Growth performance e.g. feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio were observed. Carcass characteristics traits and development of digestive organs were observed by sacrificing four birds per group at the end of the trial. Weekly body weight gain was found to increase significantly in all supplemented groups on 6^th week. Overall body weight gain was found higher in T₃ group than other groups. The eviscerated yield (gm) and eviscerated yield (%) were represented to highest in T₄ supplemented group whereas ready to cook yield (gm) and ready to cook yield (%) is also highest in T₄ supplemented group than control. Digestive organ except proventricular (%) and cecal length (%) were found to differ significantly in all experimental groups. Small intestine (%), small intestine length (%) and large intestine (%) were observed to highest in T₄ supplemented group than control. The results indicated that supplementation of butyric acid up to the level of 1.5% of feed improves the growth performance and feed utilization in commercial broiler without having any adverse effect on carcass quality traits in commercial broiler.

HIGHLIGHTS

Butyric acid supplementation on growth performance of broiler.

To study carcass quality of broiler after supplementation of butyris acid.