1Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore-54000, Pakistan
2Department of Poultry Production, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore-54000, Pakistan
3Animal Nutrition and Health, EMEA Kemin Europa N.V, Toekomstlaan 42, Herentals, Belgium
Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore-54000, Pakistan
*Corresponding author's e-mail: doctorwsi639@gmail.com
Online published on 15 December, 2018.
The effect of microencapsulated butyric acid (MEBA) on growth performance, ileal digestibility (ID) of protein, gut health and immunity was assessed in broilers. A total of 336 d-old Hubbard Classic broilers chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (Control, 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45 g/kg of MEBA). Each treatment was replicated three times with 28 birds/replicate. Feed intake, body weight gain, FCR, intestinal morphology, ID of protein and immunity was evaluated. At 35-d of age, three birds/replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered to collect blood, duodenal samples, and ileal digesta. The Improved body weight gain (P = 0.05), FCR (P<0.01), duodenal villous height (P<0.05) and ID (P<0.1) were observed; whereas, unresponsive treatment effect with respect to feed intake (P>0.5) and antibody titer against Newcastle disease (P>0.05) were noted. The results indicated that MEBA improves digestion and absorptive processes which consequentlyimproved the broilersperformance.
Broilers performance, Gut health, Immunity, Ileal digestibility, Microencapsulated butyric acid
