Effects of vitamin c and zinc supplementation in drinking water on growth performance of broiler chickens reared in the tropics

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplemental vitamin C and zinc on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens reared under tropical condition. A total of 120 one-day-old mixed sex Abor acre chicks were assigned based on body weight to four dietary treatments. There were three replicate pens for each treatment and 10 broilers per replicate pen. The control group (T1) received no additive; while chicks in T2, T3 and T4 had 120g vitamin C with 40mg Zinc, 240g Vitamin C with 80mg Zinc and 360g of Vitamin C with 120mg Zinc in 1000L of water, respectively. Chicks were fed the same diet based on a 2-phase feeding program i.e. starter and finisher phases. Feed and water were given on ad libitum basis. Data collected were analysed using GLM procedure of SAS 2001. At the starter phase dietary treatments had significant (P < 0.05) effects of weight gain, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and water intake. Chicks administered 240g Vitamin C with 80mg Zinc had the best results in terms of weight gain and feed conversion ratio. However, at the finisher phase dietary treatments had significant (P < 0.05) effect on the water intake only. Improved carcass characteristic was observed in broiler chickens given vitamin C and zinc supplements. Based on the improved FCR, it was concluded that the administration of 240g Vitamin C with 80mg Zinc in drinking water of broiler chicks has the potential to enhance growth performance without any adverse effect.