Effect of Organic Acids Supplement on Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to evaluate effect of organic acids on broiler performance. Totally 180 chickens of Ross 308 hybrid were divided to three groups. Experimental group no. 1 (n=60) received acetic acid in drinking water with concentration 0.25% from day 1 to day 42. Experimental group no. 2 (n=60) received citric acid in drinking water with concentration 0.25% from day 1 to day 42. Control group (n=60) received drinking water without any additives. The average body weight, feed consumption, mortality and carcass characteristics were analyzed and compared finally. The results showed no significant effects of diets with addition of organic acids (P<0.05) on body weight. Supplementation of citric acid caused decrease in total feed consumption. Addition of organic acids affected positive total mortality of broiler chickens. There were no significant effects of organic acids supplementation on carcass characteristics.

Keywords

• chicken
• acetic acid
• citric acid
• body weight
• feed consumption
• mortality
• carcass characteristics