Effect of Different Sources of Organic Acids on Growth of Starter Broiler Chicks

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to determine the dietary effect of dry lime fruit (Citrus latifolia) pomace and a blend (1: 1) of synthetic organic acids (citric and ascorbic acids) on growth performance of starter broilers. One hundred and twenty (120) day old Hubbard chicks were used. There were 4 dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4) replicated 3 times and each replicate had 10 birds. T1 was the control diet which had no lime fruit pomace, and citric acid and vitamin C blend. T2 contained 5% dry lime fruit pomace, T3 contained 0.5% of the organic acids blend and T4 contained 5% lime fruit pomace and 0.5% of the blend. The lime fruit pomace as well as the citric and ascorbic acids blend were incorporated into the feed formula. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum for 28 days the experiment lasted. The pomace contained 1.24% and 1.75% citric acid and ascorbic acid respectively. Results indicated organic acid blend improved live weight and feed intake, while feeding pomace alone and mixture of pomace and organic acids blend reduced final live weight. It is therefore recommended that the organic acids blend could be incorporated in diets for starter broiler chicks.