Production and carcase traits in broiler chickens given diets supplemented with inorganic trivalent chromium and an organic acid blend

Abstract

1. The study was conducted to ascertain the effects of supplemental organic acids and chromium (Cr) on production and carcase traits of broiler chickens.

2. A total of 120 1-d-old broiler chicks were divided into 4 treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design (each treatment group contained 6 replicates with 5 birds per replicate).

3. The diets were supplemented with an organic acid blend containing ortho-phosphoric, formic and propionic acid and calcium propionate (1 g/kg diet) and inorganic trivalent chromium (Cr³⁺) as chromic chloride hexahydrate (0·5 mg/kg diet) either independently or together as a combination for 35 d.

4. Individual supplementation of organic acids and Cr³⁺ and their combination significantly improved the food conversion ratio, hot and dressed carcase weight and weight of the wholesale cuts compared to the control group of birds.

5. Organic acids, either independently or along with Cr³⁺, increased total accretion of ash in carcase. Protein accretion was improved by dietary Cr³⁺ and organic acid supplementation compared to the control group and a further improvement in this regard was observed when Cr³⁺ and organic acid were supplemented together. Across the treatment groups meat fat content and fat accretion were lower in birds receiving dietary Cr³⁺ supplementation.

6. Circulatory Cr³⁺ and meat Cr³⁺ concentration increased compared to the other treatment groups when Cr³⁺ was supplemented to the birds.

7. It was concluded that, instead of individual supplementation, a combination of Cr³⁺ and organic acids may improve the production and carcase traits of broilers more effectively presumably because of an additive effect.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the material and financial support obtained from Dex ibèrica, Vila-Seca, Tarragona, Spain and its Indian distributor S.M. Enterprises, Kolkata, India.