Use of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla in the diet of broiler chickens

The experiments were carried out to measure the effect of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla on growth performance, profitability and lipid profiles of blood of broiler chickens to produce safe and cost effective broilers.

In experiment 1, 240 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; D₁ (control), D₂ (D₁ with 1 mL multivitamin/liter water), D₃ (D₁ with 1 mL acidifier/liter water), D₄ (D₁ with 1 mL multivitamin and 2 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication. In experiment 2, 150 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; T₁ (control), T₂ (5% Azolla in the diet), T₃ (7% Azolla in the diet) and T₄ (T₁ with 1 mL multivitamin and 1 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication in control, and 10 chicks/replication in the remaining dietary treatment groups for 35 days.

In experiment 1, the highest live weight was observed in D₄ (p<0.05), however, feed intake was statistically similar between diets (p>0.05). The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.001) and mortality (p<0.05) were observed in D₂ followed by D₄, D₁, and D₃, respectively. There were no significant differences between diets for feed cost and net profit (p>0.05). However, evidently but not significantly, the highest net profit was obtained in D₂ followed by D₄, D₁, and D₃, respectively. In experiment 2, the highest live weight (p<0.05) and feed intake (p<0.001) were observed in T₄. Mortality (p<0.01), FCR (p<0.01), feed cost (p<0.05) and net profit (p<0.05) were significantly different among diets. Considering net profit, T₂ was the best performing dietary group followed by T₃, T₁, and T₄, respectively. The lowest lipid profiles were observed in D₃ followed by D₁, D₄, and D₂, respectively (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the lowest total cholesterol, TG, and the highest amount of high density lipoprotein were observed in T₂, followed by T₃, T₁, and T₄, respectively (p<0.05). Evidently but not significantly, low density lipoprotein was the highest in T₂ followed by T₃, T₄, and T₁, respectively (p>0.05).

In conclusion, Azolla and acidifier reduced lipid profiles of broiler chickens. Considering net profit and lipid profiles, 5% Azolla may be the suitable dietary group for producing safe and profitable broilers. However, more studies are needed to confirm this study prior to suggesting using Azolla in the poultry industry.