EFFECT OF ACTIVATED CHARCOAL ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF POULTRY PERFORMANCE: REVIEW

Abstract

This paper presents a short review of the effects of activated charcoal (AC) on different aspects of poultry performance. Activated charcoal is a solid, porous, tasteless and black carbonaceous material prepared from a variety of carbon containing materials, including agricultural residue. In powder form it acts as adsorbent for many toxins according to physical and chemical nature of the precursor. Several studies reviewed showed AC, as a non-digestible and cheap substance that may be of benefit to poultry gut health, growth and laying performance, especially in the tropics where microbial degradation of feed is a major threat.