Comparing the Effect of Diets Treated with Different Organic Acids on Growth and Economic Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to compare the growth and economics of adding
organic acids to diets of broiler chickens. The organic acids were sorbic benzoic
lactic and propionic acids. 150 day old Hubbard chicks were used. There were five
treatments. Diet 1 which served as control contained no organic acid. Diets 2, 3, 4
and 5 respectively contained 0.25% sorbic benzoic lactic and propionic acids. There
were three replicates per treatment each having 10 birds. Completely randomized
design (CRD) was used. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for eight weeks the
experiment lasted. Live weight was significantly (P<0.05) improved at starter phase
by propionic acid. Live weight and feed intake were significantly reduced by benzoic
acid. Propionic acid significantly (P<0.05) improved feed: gain ratio. At the finisher
phase Sorbic lactic and propionic acids gave better live weight than control and
benzoic acid. Total feed intake was improved by lactic and propionic acids. Weight
gain and feed: gain ratio were not significant (P>0.05). Cost/kg feed was increased
by organic acids. Feed cost per bird was significantly (P<0.05) increased by sorbic
lactic and propionic acids. Benzoic acid significantly (P<0.05) reduced gross
margin. Other organic acids posted similar gross margin as control. In conclusion
propionic lactic and sorbic acids could be used in diets for broilers in terms of growth
performance