Growth intensity and mineral metabolism rate of broiler chickens while using marine hydrobionts derived feed additives

• Main Author: N. I. Dankevych
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University 2020-02-01
• Series: Theoretical and Applied Veterinary Medicine
• Subjects: sea mussels; body weight; red algae; broilers; biochemical parameters
• Online Access: https://bulletin-biosafety.com/index.php/journal/article/view/262

There was determined an effect of feeding two feed additives made from primary processing wastes of marine hydrobionts on the mineral metabolism state of broiler chickens. Mineral feed additives were derived from mussels’ shells and seawater, protein-mineral feed additives were made from the shells of large mussels and bodies of small ones, Phyllophora nervosa algae, and seawater. Birds of the control group got only the basic diet. Chickens from experimental groups of 20 to 42 days old were fed with feed additives in addition to the basic diet. Chickens of groups I and II obtained mineral feed additive, groups III and IV – protein-mineral feed additive. Compared to the control group, chickens of the groups I and III received 93 % of the basic diet and 7 % of the mineral feed additive and protein-mineral feed additive, respectively; groups II and IV received in addition to the 100 % of the basic diet, 7 % of the mineral feed additive and protein-mineral feed additive. The growth rate was determined by the individual weighing of the bird at the age of 20 and 42 days old. Total calcium and inorganic phosphorus blood serum content was determined using a GBG ChemWell 2910 automatic biochemical analyzer and Global Scientific test systems. It was found that feeding broiler chickens with protein-mineral feed additive contributed to the bodyweight increase of broiler chickens. The use of mineral feed additives did not affect the chickens’ growth rate. When using feed additives, the calcium content did not significantly differ from the control group birds except for the group I, where it was 9.0 % higher (p ≤ 0.01). The content of phosphorus in the blood serum of broiler chickens from experimental groups was significantly higher: in chickens of the groups I, II, III and IV, respectively, by 34.4; 26.2; 38.5 and 23.0 % compared to the control. With the higher phosphorus content, the calcium to phosphorus ratio in the blood serum of the experimental chickens was significantly lower: group I – 23.0 %, group II – 13.0 %, group III – 24.0 %, and group IV – 20.0 %. Due to the increased phosphorus levels and almost unchanged calcium level, alkaline phosphatase activity was less. Compared to the control group, in broilers of groups I, II, III, and IV, the level of this enzyme was significantly lower by 53.5; 28.2; 44.6 and 57.8 %. The blood glucose level of all experimental groups’ chickens was slightly lower than normal, did not significantly differ from the control. The dependences of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase activity in the chickens’ blood serum on the method of feeding or the type of feed additive have not been established.