Insoluble granite-grit allows broiler chicks to have better growth performance and gut health

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of insoluble granite-grit on growth performance and gut health status of broiler chicks. One hundred and sixty 14-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to experimental groups control and grit feeding. Each group included 80 birds divided by four replicates, each consisting of 20 birds, 10 males and 10 females. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, dressing percentage, gut length, abdominal fat pad, and liver, heart, and gizzard weights were determined. Starter diet included 230 g crude protein (CP) kg −1 and 3.15 Mcal metabolizable energy (ME) kg −1 during the days 14 to 21; grower diet included 212 g CP kg −1 and 3.20 Mcal ME kg −1 ; and finisher diet included 190 g CP kg −1 and 3.20 Mcal ME kg -1 . Control birds were fed broiler diets, while grit-fed birds were allowed to consume broiler diets, including 3% insoluble granite-grit. Grit feeding improved the final body weight (2268 vs. 2336 g) with better feed efficiency (2.03 vs. 1.95) and less feed intake (3780 vs. 3764 g). Grit feeding increased gizzard weight (31.63 vs. 48.00 g) without affecting carcass weight (1643 vs. 1708 g), dressing percentage (73.50 vs. 73.60%), liver weight (42.69 vs. 40.69 g), heart weight (12.00 vs. 11.63 g), abdominal fat pad (34.50 vs. 35.38 g), and gut length (229.3 vs. 220.7 cm) of broilers. Grit feeding affects daily gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio positively by increasing gizzard development and health.

Tahıl Taneleri Olarak Mısır ve Arpa Kapsayan Karma Yemlere Grit İlavesinin Broylerlerde Performans ve Kesim Özelliklerine Etkileri

“…Similarly, Yalçın et al [21] reported that feed intake during the experiment was significantly reduced and feed conversion ratio was not affected by grit addition to the diets based on maize and soybean. Erener et al [2] also stated that although inclusion of grit to broiler diets decreased feed intake by approximately 10 g (P<0.01), grit consumed by chicks provided better performance in terms of feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Adeniji [23] reported that inclusion of 5% grit decreased feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio of one-day old pullet chicks fed rice husk.…”

“…However, Moghaddam et al [11] reported that body weight gains were significantly improved in broilers added with grit having 2 mm size compared to chickens treated by grit having 3 and 4 mm in size (P<0.05) in direct proportion to the numerical increase in gizzard volume. Erener et al [2] reported that grit supplementation to high energy and low fiber diets increased final body weight and total body weight gain.…”

“…Decrease in abdominal fat as the main source of poultry waste is very important point in broiler production. Some researchers [1,2,11] stated that there were no differences with using grit among the groups in terms of carcass yield and relative percentages of organ weight. Some early studies [1,[26][27][28] showed that granite grit usage increased the weight of gizzard but had no effect on performance of broilers, which is also consistent with our results.…”

“…The gizzard, serves as teeth, is one of the organs of the digestive system of birds. This specialized stomach, constructed of thick muscular walls, is used for grinding up feed, often aided by particles of stone or grit [2] . However, broilers are usually fed with an easily digestible mash or pelleted diet.…”

“…It has been reported that half of the feed had passed the gizzard within 2 h [10] . The granite grit increases the size of the gizzard and its muscular power [2,5] . Grit also provides supplementary calcium and other minerals that are important for seed-consuming animals [7] .…”