Abstract

PAVLAK, M.S.D. et al. Impact of various dietary levels of zeolite on broiler performance, digestibility, and carcass traits. S. Afr. j. anim. sci. [online]. 2022, vol.52, n.3, pp.400-408. ISSN 2221-4062.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v52i3.15.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of clinoptilolite zeolite to enhance performance in broiler chickens. Nine hundred male broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design to four treatments with nine repetitions. Treatments included clinoptilolite zeolite in the diet at 0, 2500, 5000 and 10000 grams/ton. Inclusion of zeolite caused a linear increase in ammonia released by the litter after 21 days, with greater effects at 42 days. The digestibility coefficient for dry matter increased, whereas the digestibility coefficients for crude protein, gross energy, and ash were not affected. Zeolite affected the digestibility of dry matter, gross energy and ash, with digestible gross energy and digestible ash showing a quadratic effect. The same effect was shown in the percentage of abdominal fat and the relative weight of the pancreas. Zeolite did not change the performance, serum levels and quality of the litter at 42 days old. It improved the percentage of digestible nutrients and increased pancreas weight.

Keywords : histopathology; litter quality; nutrition; serum levels.

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