Influence of Granite-grit on Nutrient Digestibility and Haematological Parameters of Broiler Chickens Fed Rice Offal Based Diets

Abstract

A total of 270 broiler chickens were used for the study. The birds were fed common diet containing 23% Crude protein and 2864 kcal kg(-1) Metabolizable energy at the starter phase while 20% Crude protein and 2923 kcal kg(-1) Metabolizable energy was fed at the finisher phase. Starter and finisher diets contained 10 and 15% inclusion levels of rice offal respectively. Granite grit was added to the basal diet at 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 g per bird per month thus making a total of six treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times with 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Packed cell volume and haemoglobin level were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by dietary grit levels while total protein increased across the graded levels of granite grit. Crude protein, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract significantly (p<0.05) improved with increasing grit levels. These parameters improved up to the highest level of grit addition (10.0 g) granite-grit. It was concluded that 10.0 g granite grit per bird per month is beneficial to broiler chickens as it allows for efficient nutrient utilization. Further study to determine the optimum level of granite grit in broiler diet is encouraged since result obtained showed the optimum level was not attained.

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

“…This amount was ten times more than that used by Idachaba et al (2013b). In addition, the broilers in our study were one week older than those in the study of Idachaba et al (2013b). These results support the idea that the age of the bird influences the intake of granite-grit (Garipoglu et al, 2006).…”

“…In the current study, birds consumed nearly 113 g granite-grit monthly during the period of 14-42 d old. This amount was ten times more than that used by Idachaba et al (2013b). In addition, the broilers in our study were one week older than those in the study of Idachaba et al (2013b).…”

“…Furthermore, current grit addition to mash diet might have increased this process, as evidenced by a slight but significant increase in growth performance. Idachaba et al (2013b) used 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g granitegrit per bird per month in one-week-old broiler chicks and concluded that 10 g granite-grit was beneficial to broilers, as it allows for efficient nutrient utilisation. In the current study, birds consumed nearly 113 g granite-grit monthly during the period of 14-42 d old.…”