Growth performance, leg quality and viability of broiler chicken fed plant-based starter diet supplemented with zinc oxide (HiZox)

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of HiZox on the growth performance, leg health, and liveability of broiler chickens from day 1-21 days. Day-old male broiler chicks (n=1024; Cobb 500) were distributed randomly into four dietary treatments [D1, D2, D3, and D4], each treatment replicated eight times with thirty-two chicks per replicate cage in a completely randomized design. Diet (D1) was treated as control and supplemented with ZnSO4 (0.009%), whereas the D2, D3, and D4 diets were supplemented with 0.006%, 0.009%, and 0.12% ZnO (HiZox) along with other feedstuffs, respectively. Similar housing, feeding, watering, and environmental conditions were supplied to the chicks during the entire trial period. Birds were reared on the litter floor open-sided housing condition with ad libitum feed and water throughout the trial period. Data on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), viability, and the incidence of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) were measured. The results revealed that BW was significantly increased (P<0.01) by the supplemented diets during 21 days without affecting (P>0.05) FI during this period. From day 1-14, the FI increased (P<0.01) in the birds fed the supplemented diet compared to the control. The BW was unaffected (P>0.05) between treatments from day 1-14. The FCR differed significantly (P<0.01) between treatments during the entire trial period. The FCR improved (P<0.01) in the broilers fed the supplemented diet compared to the control (D1). Survivability of broilers was not affected (P>0.05) by treatment. Leg disorders such as FPD were influenced (P<0.01) by treatment. The incidence of FPD increased (P<0.01) in D2, D3, and D4 compared to the control (D1). It can be concluded that HiZox showed beneficial effects on the growth responses of broilers, and it can be used as a potential nutrient source for poultry.