Performance and phytate utilization of meat-type chickens fed varied levels of acidified diets

This study focuses on the performance and phytate utilization of meat-type chickens fed varied levels of acidified diets. Anti-nutrients such as phytate can inhibit growth performance in chickens; hence the need to supplement additives such as feed grade acidifiers that enhance digestibility and feed utilization. Three hundred and sixty day old broiler chicks were assigned to five treatment groups of three replicates each assigned with 24 and 20-chickens at both starter and finisher phases respectively, in a completely randomized design. The control treatment had diet optimal in available phosphorus at 0.5% while treatments two to five were fed sub-optimal available phosphorus diets at 0.4% in addition to acidifiers supplemented at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4% respectively. Results showed that 0.3%feed acidification was significantly (P<0.05) better than other levels of supplementation and the control in performance characteristics. Increasing the level of supplementation beyond 0.3% elicited a decline in weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kilogram gain. These performance indicators also declined as feed acidification reduced from 0.3% to the acid control group. In conclusion, 0.3% supplementation of acidifiers in broiler diets can significantly (P<0.05) improve phytate hydrolysis, growth performance and other productive parameters. Supplementation of feed grade organic acid at 0.3% is recommended for broiler diets as it competes favourably with phytate improving its hydrolysis and enhancing utilization of feed components.Keywords: Phytate, broiler, organic acid, utilizatio

Effect of feed grade acidifiers on total tract mineral retention, intestinal pH and phytate utilization by broiler finisher chickens

Mineral chelators such as organic acids have been reported to compete favourably with phytate by forming soluble complexes with feed minerals.  Effect of feed grade acidifiers on total tract mineral retention and intestinal pH of broiler finisher chickens was investigated. A total of 300-broiler finisher chickens were assigned to four treatment groups. Each treatment was replicated thrice with twenty chickens per replicate in a completely randomized design. The control treatment (T ) was fed the control diet adequate in available phosphorus at 0.5% 1 while other treatments (T -T ) were fed sub-optimal available phosphorus diets at 0.4%. 2 4 Three blends of acidifiers; Fysal®, Orgacid® and Acidomix® were supplemented in the  diets of chickens in treatments 2, 3 and 4 at 0.1% (1kg per ton/feed). Chickens fed diet supplemented with Fysal® showed the best (P<0.05) results in total tract mineral retention 56.5+/-5.75 compared to the control and other treatments. The poor mineral retention i.e. 35 and 46% for calcium and phosphorus respectively by chickens fed the control diet was attributed to the insoluble phytate-mineral complex that limits mineral bioavailability. Intestinal segments of chickens fed acidified diets showed significant reduction (P<0.05) in pH in the range of 5.26- 7.16 across duodenum to ileum compared to the control group 6.83-8.76. It is concluded that feed acidification at 0.1% improves mineral utilization in broiler chickens as it competesfavourably with phytate in the lumen of the gut leading to better nutrient utilization. Keywords: Acidifier, supplementation, phytate, minerals, intestinal p

Performance of broiler finisher chickens fed varied levels of mango seed kernel meal as replacement for maize

The performance of broiler finisher chickens fed varied levels of mango seed kernel meal as replacement for maize was studied. Mango seed kernel was fed as replacement for maize at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% for treatments 1-6, respectively. 20% mango seed kernel showed the best result in feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed to gain ratio and feed cost per kilogram weight gain. This performance declined with increasing  replacement levels of MSK. Thus, in the study, it is concluded that) mango seed kernel can replace maize at 20% in the diet of broiler chickens without negatively affecting performance. Higher inclusion levels beyond 20% resulted in declined feed intake and productive parameters. Keywords: broiler, performance, mango seed kernel, maiz