Improving Performance of Broilers by Fortifying their Feeds with Additional Levels of Antioxidants (Vitamins C and A&E)
Ezeibe FIO*, Nwizu VC, Kenneth-Chukwu OM and Akpan CAN
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author:Ezeibe FIO, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria.
Received:
September 02, 2024; Published: September 09, 2024
Abstract
Fifty one (51) day old broiler-chicks were randomly allocated to three groups of 17 each. They were fed a commercial feed with one treatment-group placed on the feed with additional level of Vitamin-C as recommended for improving immunity by the American research council. One other group was fed the feed with the addition being of Vitamins-A&E. Water was provided, ad libitum and the study was terminated whenever any of the groups attained ≥ 1.4 kg mean-live weight (based on 75 % dressing percentage) for 1 kg chicken (“hotel size”). Although the additional Vitamin-C group had highest feed-intake, by age 4-weeks they attained 1.41 kg-weight, had lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR: 0.19) and lowest cost of producing 1 kg, chicken (#1,292.00) against the Vitamins A&E-group (1.12 kg; 0.23; #1,610.00) and control (0.91kg; 0.27; #2,214.00). Fortifying broiler feeds with Vitamin C would improve profitability by enhancing live-weight, reducing FCR and shortening production-cycle.
Keywords: Antioxidants; Feed Conversion Ratio; Cost of Production; Profitability
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