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Title
Potential of blended organic acids to improve performance and health of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Publication Date
2021-06
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Early Online Version
Open Access
Yes
Abstract
Organic acids (OA) and their blends have been shown to positively affect performance and health of broilers. However, the data in the literature are not consistent. This study examined the potential of blended short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on performance, health and welfare of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis (NE). The additives used were A) a blend of SCFA, MCFA, and a phenolic compound (SMP); B) a blend of free and buffered SCFA with MCFA (SMF); C) a blend of free and buffered SCFA with a high concentration of MCFA (SHM). A total of 1,404 Ross 308 one-day-old male parental chicks were randomly distributed into 78-floor pens with 13 replicates of 18 birds each. Six treatments were the following: T1, unchallenged control (UCC); T2, challenged control (CHC); T3, challenged group plus zinc bacitracin (BAC); T4, challenged group plus additive SMP; T5, challenged group plus additive SMF; T6, challenged group plus additive SHM. Challenged birds were gavaged with <i>Eimeria</i> spp. on d 9 and <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> EHE-NE18 on d 14. Post NE challenge and cumulatively, BWG, FCR, and nutrient digestibility of birds were compromised (<i>P</i> < 0.05) by NE challenge indicating a successful induction of sub-clinical NE. Additive SHM had higher BWG compared to CHC and BAC groups (<i>P</i> = 0.001; d 10 to 24) but not different from SMP and SMF groups (<i>P</i> > 0.05). All the 3 additive groups had lower FCR compared to CHC (<i>P</i> = 0.001; d 0 to 35), and exhibited similar jejunal lesions (d 16) compared to BAC and apparent ileal protein digestibility (d 21) compared to UCC and BAC groups (<i>P</i> > 0.05). Birds in additive SHM group had a higher concentration of serum IgA compared to all groups (<i>P</i> = 0.001) except additive SMF (<i>P</i> > 0.05; d 21). All the additive groups had lower footpad dermatitis and hock burns compared to CHC (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The findings suggest the potential of blended OA as alternatives to BAC to protect broilers from NE indicated by improved FCR, immunity, digestibility, and bird welfare.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Animal Nutrition, 7(2), p. 440-449
Publisher
Zhongguo Xumu Shouyi Xuehui, Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
2021-02-02
Place of Publication
China
ISSN
2405-6383
2405-6545
File(s)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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