European Journal of Zoological Research
Abstract
Author(s): Hedayati M, M. Manafi, M. Yari and P. Vafaei
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the dietary supplementation of an acidifier agent on
performance parameters and visceral organ weights of broilers. Two hundred and forty day old Ross 308 broilers
where divided in four groups with three replicates and twenty chicks each. The present study assessed the different
dosage of an acidifier on commercial broilers. Diets prepared without additive Control (CON) (group 1), 0.025%
Acidifier Agent (AA1) (group 2); 0.05% Acidifier Agent (AA2) (group 3) and 0.1% Acidifier Agent (AA3) (group 4).
Results showed that among weekly body weight, feed intake and FCR, there was a significant (P<0.05)
improvement, however, the maximum difference were noticed in the level of 0.1%, followed by 0.05% and 0.025%
levels. The minimums survivability percentage was recorded in 0.1% level. The visceral organ weights (g/kg live
weight) of thymus, bursa of Fabreciuos, liver and pancreas have shown no statistical (P<0.05) changes. Acidifiers
act as performance promoters by lowering the pH of gut (mainly upper intestinal tract), reducing potential
proliferation of un-favorable microorganisms. Acidification of gut stimulates enzyme activity and optimizes
digestion and the absorption of nutrients and minerals. Un-dissociated form of organic acids penetrates the lipid
membrane of bacterial cells and dissociate into an ions and protons. It can be concluded that dietary acidifier agent
increased the performance of broiler chicken and is an option for maintaining or improving broiler growth and
efficiency. The best level of acidifier used in this study was found to be 0.1%.
