Use of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla in the diet of broiler chickens

OBJECTIVE: The experiments were carried out to measure the effect of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla on growth performance, profitability and lipid profiles of blood of broiler chickens to produce safe and cost effective broilers. METHODS: In experiment 1, 240 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; D(1) (control), D(2) (D(1) with 1 mL multivitamin/liter water), D(3) (D(1) with 1 mL acidifier/liter water), D(4) (D(1) with 1 mL multivitamin and 2 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication. In experiment 2, 150 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; T(1) (control), T(2) (5% Azolla in the diet), T(3) (7% Azolla in the diet) and T(4) (T(1) with 1 mL multivitamin and 1 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication in control, and 10 chicks/replication in the remaining dietary treatment groups for 35 days. RESULTS: In experiment 1, the highest live weight was observed in D(4) (p<0.05), however, feed intake was statistically similar between diets (p>0.05). The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.001) and mortality (p<0.05) were observed in D(2) followed by D(4), D(1), and D(3), respectively. There were no significant differences between diets for feed cost and net profit (p>0.05). However, evidently but not significantly, the highest net profit was obtained in D(2) followed by D(4), D(1), and D(3), respectively. In experiment 2, the highest live weight (p<0.05) and feed intake (p<0.001) were observed in T(4). Mortality (p<0.01), FCR (p<0.01), feed cost (p<0.05) and net profit (p<0.05) were significantly different among diets. Considering net profit, T(2) was the best performing dietary group followed by T(3), T(1), and T(4), respectively. The lowest lipid profiles were observed in D(3) followed by D(1), D(4), and D(2), respectively (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the lowest total cholesterol, TG, and the highest amount of high density lipoprotein were observed in T(2), followed by T(3), T(1), and T(4), respectively (p<0.05). Evidently but not significantly, low density lipoprotein was the highest in T(2) followed by T(3), T(4), and T(1), respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Azolla and acidifier reduced lipid profiles of broiler chickens. Considering net profit and lipid profiles, 5% Azolla may be the suitable dietary group for producing safe and profitable broilers. However, more studies are needed to confirm this study prior to suggesting using Azolla in the poultry industry.