Effect of ascorbic acid on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler birds in semi-arid zone, Sokoto state, Nigeria

Marshal strain of broiler chicken were used to determine the effect of Ascorbic acid (AA) on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler birds at starter and finisher phase in Sokoto, Nigeria at different levels of AA inclusion. ۲۲۵ day-old chicks were housed in a standard open sided tropical house type under deep litter system. The birds were randomly assigned to three treatments (۰g, ۱۰g and ۲۰gAA) replicated Five times in completely randomize design (CRD). Feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. At the end of the experiment, ۱۵ birds were randomly selected from each treatment, fasted, killed and their carcass weight analyzed. The result showed that there is significance difference P<(۰.۰۵) between BW and FCR at starter phase. And no significant difference P>(۰.۰۵) between FI and BWG. At finisher phase, the result showed that there is significance difference P<(۰.۰۵) between BW and BWG and significance difference P>(۰.۰۵) does not exist between FI and FCR across all the treatments. Birds fed diet with ۰g AA performed better compared to other treatments in terms of FCR at finisher phase. While in the finisher phase those fed with ۱۰g AA performed better compared to other treatments on the remaining parameters and also better in FCR at starter phase. Carcass analysis revealed significance difference P<(۰.۰۵) between the treatment means with response to drumstick, legs, neck and gizzard while the other cuts and organs were statistically similar. Birds fed with ۱۰g were superior in most of the parameters mentioned. It's recommended that to include AA in broiler diets at ۱۰g level of AA.Marshal strain of broiler chicken were used to determine the effect of Ascorbic acid (AA) on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler birds at starter and finisher phase in Sokoto, Nigeria at different levels of AA inclusion. ۲۲۵ day-old chicks were housed in a standard open sided tropical house type under deep litter system. The birds were randomly assigned to three treatments (۰g, ۱۰g and ۲۰gAA) replicated Five times in completely randomize design (CRD). Feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. At the end of the experiment, ۱۵ birds were randomly selected from each treatment, fasted, killed and their carcass weight analyzed. The result showed that there is significance difference P<(۰.۰۵) between BW and FCR at starter phase. And no significant difference P>(۰.۰۵) between FI and BWG. At finisher phase, the result showed that there is significance difference P<(۰.۰۵) between BW and BWG and significance difference P>(۰.۰۵) does not exist between FI and FCR across all the treatments. Birds fed diet with ۰g AA performed better compared to other treatments in terms of FCR at finisher phase. While in the finisher phase those fed with ۱۰g AA performed better compared to other treatments on the remaining parameters and also better in FCR at starter phase. Carcass analysis revealed significance difference P<(۰.۰۵) between the treatment means with response to drumstick, legs, neck and gizzard while the other cuts and organs were statistically similar. Birds fed with ۱۰g were superior in most of the parameters mentioned. It's recommended that to include AA in broiler diets at ۱۰g level of AA.

Keywords:

Broiler chicken , Ascorbic acid , Carcass characteristics , Body weight , Performance