Effect of litter treatment on growth, carcass traits and immunity status of broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of various strengths of alum as litter amendment on broiler performance, carcass traits, litter quality and immunity status of broiler birds. About 200 day old Vencobb chicks were divided in to four equal groups, having 50 chicks in each group. The groups T₁, T₂ and T₃ were reared on litter material which is treated with various alum concentrations and the control group without any litter amendment. The present study revealed that the broiler litter group which is amended with alum at a concentration of 0.095 kg/bird, enhanced theoverall body weight gain of broilers with superior carcass traits. The immune level of the broilers were also found better as evidenced from reduced heterophils lymphocytes ratio of litter treated groups. Therefore, it is concluded that alum at a concentration of 0.095 kg/bird can be safely used for broiler litter treatment without any detrimental effects on environment.