Iranian Journal of animal Science

Iranian Journal of animal Science

Effect of sodium bentonite litter supplement and stocking density on growth performance of broiler and litter quality in summer

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Maziar Mohiti-Asli 1
Moein Ghanaatparast-Rashti 2
Meysam Tavakoli-Alamooti 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science, University of Guilan, P.O. Box 41635-1314, Rasht, Iran
2 Ph.D. Student, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science, University of Guilan, P.O. Box 41635-1314, Rasht, Iran
10.22059/ijas.2016.59799
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of sodium bentonite litter supplement and stoking density on performance and litter quality using a total of 252 broiler chicks in completely randomized design with 6 treatments which were arranged factorially (3×2) and 4 replicates. Experimental factors included: stocking density (14; low and 18; high /birds per m2) and three levels of sodium bentonite litter supplement (0, 2 and 4 kg/m2). Higher stocking density led to lower performance, higher moisture, pH, count of E.coli and oocysts in litter, intestinal lesions score, footpad and hock lesion scores and breast blister (P<0.01).  Litter moisture and footpad and hock scores were reduced by application of 2 kg/m2 litter supplement (P<0.01). Supplementation of 4 kg/m2 sodium bentonite decreased count of E. coli and nitrogen in litter and improved body weight gain of broilers than control (P<0.01). Interactions between stocking density and litter supplement for footpad and hock scores (35 day of age) were significant (P<0.05) as lesions were negligible in lower stocking density without any effect by litter supplement, although the lesions induced by higher density were reduced using 4 kg/m2 litter supplement. Results indicated that application of sodium bentonite as litter supplement had beneficial effects on broilers performance and litter quality.
Keywords
broiler
litter quality
performance
Sodium Bentonite
Stocking Density
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Iranian Journal of animal Science
Volume 47, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Autumn 2016
Pages 441-451

  • Receive Date 21 November 2015
  • Revise Date 04 July 2016
  • Accept Date 15 July 2016