Abstract:
This study examined the effects of kaolin, bentonite and zeolite on energy efficiency ratio (EER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), ileal digestibility of energy, ileal digestibility of protein and carcass yield in broilers. Sexed broiler cockerels Ross 308 were randomly divided into 7 dietary treatments, each comprising 56 chickens. The treatments were: control, 1.5% kaolin, 3% kaolin, 1.5% bentonite, 3% bentonite, 1.5% zeolite and 3% zeolite. PER and EER in diets with 3% kaolin and zeolite in starter phase and 3% kaolin in the overall period showed significant increase compared to control (P<0.05). The protein digestibility
in treatments containing 3% kaolin and zeolite showed a significant increase in compared with control (P<0.05). This attribute in other dietary treatments and energy digestibilities in all dietary treatments containing mineral silicate were higher than control, although the differences were not significant (P>0.05). Abdominal fat decreased significantly (P<0.05) in treatments with 1.5% kaolin and bentonite compared to control. The mineral silicate supplementation had a positive effect on the ileal digestibility of energy and protein in broiler chickens.
Page(s):
299-302
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Volume: 14, Issue: 2, Year: 2012