![Sample our Food Science & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5936/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Food-Science-Technology.jpg"})
Abstract
The aim of this research was to study the effect of addition of natural extract of chestnut (Castanea sativa) Silvafeed ENC® in commercial feed on the growth of broilers. Two hundred and four broiler chicks (Cobb 508) 14 d old male, were randomly assigned to 12 floor pens and fed commercial diet supplemented with 0% (CE0), 0.15% (CE15), 0.20% (CE20) and 0.25% (CE25) of ENC. The ENC addition showed a beneficial effect on weight increases daily feed intake (DFI) and average daily gain (ADG) from 14 to 35 days of age. In the second half of trial the effects were less evident and concluding with a detrimental effect in CE25 group. Feed conversion rate (FCR) appears to be statistically different in the second and fifth weeks of feeding. The inclusion of ENC at 0.20%, (CE20) had significant influences on final weight, DFI and ADG and a favourable influence on FCR in comparison with the other three groups. In conclusion, ENC has been shown to be beneficial at concentrations between 0.15% and 0.20%.