Effects of organic acids in broiler diets

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the consequences of replacing growth promoter antibiotics by organic acids in diets of broilers. A completely randomized design was utilized, with 5 treatments (T1: negative control without antibiotics or organic acids; T2: latic, propionic and formic acids; T3: fumaric, formic, propionic and sorbic acids; T4:  lactic, formic, fumaric and citric acids; T5: positive control, addition of antibiotic) and 7 replicates of 8 birds per experimental units. To evaluate de performance, the weight and feed intake were measured at different stages (1-21; 21-35; 35-42 day old). At 42 day old, 2 birds per pen were sacrificed with human methods to evaluate carcass yield, breast yield and leg yield. The results showed that organic acids have no influence on carcass yield and cuts. The performance should be better evaluated, because the experimental conditions don’t offer an enough environmental challenge for the additives (antibiotics and organic acids) can show their potential.