The effect of different feed additives and supplements on the growth performance of broiler chickens under heat stress

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, the effect of different feed additives and supplements on the
growth performance of broiler chickens under heat stress was investigated.
Materials and Methods: This study was performed in a completely randomized design
using 380 one-day-old broiler chickens (male and female mixture) of Ross 384 strain. They
were divided based on the same average weight. Experimental treatments are: 1- control
treatment + standard temperature conditions, 2- control treatment + heat stress conditions, 3-
control treatment + heat stress conditions + vitamin E + Organic Se, 4- control treatment +
heat stress conditions Q10 + Vit C , 5- control treatment + heat stress conditions + ubiotics
(probiotics + prebiotics + phytobiotics), 6- control treatment + heat stress conditions + 10%
increase in diet methionine, 7- control treatment + heat stress conditions + increase of 20%
to Diet methionine and 8- control treatment + heat stress conditions + traditional method
(consumption of ice and non-alcoholic beer in drinking water).
Results: The results of feed consumption showed that there was a significant difference in
the final and total periods between the experimental treatments (p<0.05). The results of body
weight gain showed that there was a significant difference in all measurement periods
between experimental treatments (p<0.05). The results of feed conversion ratio showed that
there was a significant difference between the experimental treatments in the grower,
finisher and total periods (p<0.05). The results of carcass traits showed that there was a
significant difference in live weight, percentage of breast, wing + back of neck and gills
between experimental treatments (p<0.05). The highest live weight was observed in
treatment 5 containing heat stress conditions + ubiotic, the highest and lowest percentage of
breasts was observed in treatment 4 containing control + heat stress conditions Q10 + Vit C.
Conclusion: The overall results of the present study showed that coenzyme Q10 and vitamin
C increased feed intake and weight gain and ubiotic supplementation improved feed
conversion ratio. As a result, it is advisable to add these beneficial additives, especially
supplements containing vitamin C and coenzyme Q10, along with ubiotic supplements in
broiler breeding.