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Effects of alum treatment
of two litter materials on growth performance of broiler
chicken
Emine Alkiş and Mehmet Fatih Çelen*
Animal Science Department, Agriculture Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil
University, 65080 Van, Turkey.
*Corresponding author.
E-mail: celen@yyu.edu.tr.
Tel.:
+90432-2251120.
Fax: +904322251123.
Accepted
7 May, 2009 |
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The
objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of
aluminum sulfate (alum) amendment to 2 litter materials on
broiler growth performances.
645 newly
born broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 4 litter
groups (control straw,
control sawdust, alum treated straw and alum treated
sawdust). Feed and water were
provided ad libitum throughout the
42 day
experimental period. Chicks were placed in floor pens
at a final stocking density of 12 bird/m2.
At the end of the experiment, live weights of control
straw, control sawdust, alum treated straw and alum treated
sawdust groups in females were 2173.46, 2183.43, 2365.74,
2383.27 g respectively and in males were 2566.69, 2503.43,
2578.68, 2675.46 g respectively. Alum provided benefits
broiler weight gain when compared to the untreated control.
FCR of control straw, control sawdust, alum treated straw
and alum treated sawdust groups were 1.76, 1.72, 1.86 and
1.77 respectively. Livability of control straw, control
sawdust, alum treated straw and alum treated sawdust groups
in females were 88.59, 90.55, 83.97 and 88.13% respectively
and in males 91.73, 96.51, 90.64 and 90.79% respectively.
Livability (%) was not different (P > 0.05) among
treatments. The weight of breast (g), neck (g), gizzard (g),
heart (g), back (g) and fat (g) did not differ among groups.
There were significantly different in live weight and weight
of carcass (g) among groups. Thigh (g), wing (g), liver (g)
were significantly different among groups and sexes (P <
0.05).
Key
words:
Litter, aluminum sulfate, broiler, performances. |
