Effect of Boron on the Growth Performance, Biochemical Indices, Carcass, Intestinal and Bone Characteristics with...

Boron has emerged as a nutritionally important element due to significant role in biological system, including mineral lipid and energy metabolism, immune and endocrine system and brain function. The primary objective of present investigation was to evaluate the effect of graded levels of boron supplementation (0, 12, 24 and 48 ppm) on performance and mineral metabolism of broilers. 200 day-old broiler chicks, which were randomly allotted into four dietary treatment groups, viz., BA-0: No boron supplementation, BA-12: Received boric acid 12 mg Kg^- 1 dry feed, BA-24: Received boric acid 24 mg Kg^- 1 dry feed and BA-48: Received boric acid 48 mg Kg^- 1 dry feed, with five replicates of ten birds each under a completely randomized design for 42 days experimental period. Boric acid was used as a boron source. The body weight, feed conversion ratio, energy and protein efficiency ratio improved significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of boric acid supplementation, while feed intake remained non-significant (p > 0.05) across all treatment groups throughout the experimental period. The serum biochemical profile revealed that serum glucose and cholesterol levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of boric acid supplementation. The tibial bone and intestinal characteristics revealed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the higher supplemented groups, particularly in BA-24 and BA-48, compared to the control group. Profitability and overall economic efficiency increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of boric acid supplementation, with the highest economic returns recorded in the BA-48 group, followed by BA-24. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of boric acid @ 48 ppm improved the growth performance and mineral metabolism in broiler chickens. Further research is warranted to explore the potential of boron in poultry nutrition.