The Effects of Natural Zeolit Supplemented into Litter on Growth Performance and Welfare of Broilers

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clinoptiolite (a natural zeolite) in two addition level (3 kg or 6 kg) and two particle size (ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 mm or 0.5 to 1.0 mm) as litter supplement on the growth performance, litter dry matter, ammonium release and foot pad lesion score of broilers. One thousand and eight hundred, one-day-old chickens were divided into five treatment groups with six replicates of 60 chicks. Bird density was 15/ m2 in floor pens where pine shavings was used as litter at the level of 5 kg/m2. Considering the main effect, neither addition level nor the particle size of zeolite supplemented to litter influenced the performance indices and mortality of broilers during the starter (1 to 28 days) and overall growth period (28 to 42 days). Supplementing zeolite to litter at the level of 6 kg/m2 induced a significant increase in litter dry matter (%) at days 28 and 35 when compared to treatment with 3 and 0 kg/m2. At 42 days of age, food pad lesion score of birds reared on litter supplemented with large sized zeolite particles was lower than those grown on litter with added little sized zeolite. In conclusion, addition level and particle size of natural zeolite supplemented to litter had no significant effect on broiler performance and ammonia release from litter