The Effect of Dietary Halloysite Supplementation on the Performance of Broiler Chickens and Broiler House Environmental Parameters

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Dietary supplementation of clays and clay minerals can moderate the processes of digestion and nutrient absorption, promoting animal growth and vitality. The mode of action of this process mostly relies on epithelium protection, preventing both irritation and lesions by binding pathogenic bacteria and toxins. Clays also help to reduce the volume of harmful gastrointestinal gases and other pollutants present in broiler facilities. However, minerals differ in structure and physico-chemical properties, which influences the results of their use in animal production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of halloysite—one of the aluminosilicates included in the group of clay minerals (kaolinite group)—on the mortality, production indices, and water consumption of broiler chickens, as well as on chosen broiler house environmental parameters. The addition of halloysite to the diet of broiler chickens in the amount of 1% resulted in a favourable reduction in feed consumption per unit of body weight gain and higher utilisation of crude protein, which in turn led to improved fattening results. Moreover, halloysite addition reduced the consumption and excretion of water by chickens and the ammonia content in the air, thus improving the living conditions in the broiler house. ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of supplementing broiler chickens’ diets with halloysite on daily body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), daily water consumption (DWC), and some broiler house hygiene parameters. The trial was conducted on 18,000 broiler chickens divided into two groups throughout the 42-day (D) rearing period. The birds were fed complete diets without (group C) or with halloysite addition (1%, group E) from D8 of rearing. No difference in the mortality rate was observed between groups C and E. Birds from group E had a tendency (0.05 < p < 0.10) towards a higher body weight at D32 and D42, a higher BWG, and a lower FCR compared to group C during the entire rearing period. Average DWC differed only in the finisher period, with a tendency towards lower overall DWC in group E. The concentration of ammonia in the air from D21 to D35 was increased more than 5-fold in group C but only 1.5-fold in group E. In conclusion, the use of halloysite as a feed additive in the diet of broiler chickens resulted in a reduction in feed consumption per unit of BWG and higher utilisation of crude protein, which led to improved environmental conditions.