Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Red Algae Powder (Chondrus crispus) on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Lymphoid Organ Weights and Intestinal pH in Broilers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with red algae powder (Chondrus crispus) on the growth performance, carcass traits, lymphoid organ weights and intestinal pH y in broiler chickens. A total of 300 1-day-old B34 line male broiler chickens were randomly allotted to three treatments, four replicates per treatment and 25 birds per replicate. The experimental treatments consisted of a basal diet (T0) and dietary supplementation of 0.30 (T2) and 0.40% (T2) red algae powder. Body weight at 1, 21 and 32 days did not show significant differences (p>0.05) among treatments. At 21 days, T1decreased (p<0.05) the feed intake and feed conversion ratio. However, from 22 to up to 32 days, these productive indicators increased (p<0.05) with the use of the natural product (red algae powder) tested. Meanwhile, T1 improved (p<0.05) the carcass and breast yields and decreased the abdominal fat yield, and T2increased (p<0.05) the relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius and the thymus. The relative weight of the spleen, the other edible parts and the intestinal pH did not change (p>0.05) with the red algae supplementation. The dietary supplementation of 0.30% red algae improved the growth performance (at 21-day-old) and some edible parts; also, the dietary supplementation of 0.40% increased the relative weight of the lymphoid organs, without changing the intestinal pH of broilers.

Seaweeds, Intact and Processed, as a Valuable Component of Poultry Feeds

“…A similar effect was also reported for other red seaweeds (Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii, Chondrus crispus) used as powder in layer hens at doses of 0.5%, 1% or 2%: no significant effects on liver, spleen, ileum and heart weight [31]. Red algae powder (Chondrus crispus) applied in a feed of male broiler chickens (0.3%) significantly improved the carcass and breast yield and decreased the abdominal fat yield [88]. Red seaweed-Polysiphonia spp.-was also introduced to the diet of ducks at doses of 5%, 10% and 15% and the highest level did not significantly affect the relative weight of dressing, thigh and breast muscles.…”

“…In poultry production, broiler chickens are selected for rapid growth, heavier breast weight and increased muscle mass. Many papers examined the effect of seaweeds incorporation into the diet of broilers on their production performance and carcass traits (e.g., [18,20,28,29,32,33,36,48,49,53,62,63,75,[83][84][85][86][87][88]). Generally, seaweeds positively influence meat quality, which is usually improved as a consequence of the reduction in fats.…”

“…Effect on egg composition: − Increase in the n-3 fatty acids content in eggs [44] − Increase in the n-9 fatty acids content in eggs [70] − Improvement of the content of protein in egg [56] − Decrease in egg cholesterol and triglycerides [40,44,46,47,57,70,80] Improvement of meat quality: − Lower fat content [20,49,53,83,87,88] − Higher content of protein [83] Egg-laying rate and egg quality parameters: − Increase in laying rate [31,35,40,43,80] − Increase in the egg weight [40,43,46,51,56,81] − Increase in the yolk color [40,43,44,46,47,[55][56][57][58]65,70,81] − Increase in the albumen height [44,50,56] − Increase in the Haugh unit [44,51,56,…”

Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Seaweed, Heat Stress and Genetic Strain on Performance, Plasma Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Laying Hens

“…However, in the long-term trial, the feed intake, feed/egg and body weight were not affected over the long term by the seaweed levels [25] which may be associated with an improvement of gut health and/or adaptation to the change in palatability of the diets. Similarly, the 21-day supplementation of broilers with 0.3% and 0.4% CC led to an increased productive efficiency, with significant decreases in the feed intake and feed conversion ratio [26]. However, the body weights of broilers did not show significant differences among broilers at 1, 21 and 32 days with CC supplementation [26].…”

“…Similarly, the 21-day supplementation of broilers with 0.3% and 0.4% CC led to an increased productive efficiency, with significant decreases in the feed intake and feed conversion ratio [26]. However, the body weights of broilers did not show significant differences among broilers at 1, 21 and 32 days with CC supplementation [26]. This was in accordance with another 30-day feeding trial with no significant effect on the feed intake or body weight of laying hens fed on the 0.5%, 1% and 2% CC diets [8].…”