Effect of dietary sodium diformate on growth performance and nutrient utilization in broilers

The use of formic acid and its salts in poultry diets have well documented effects on productivity. Acting against pathogens, they help decrease pressure on the immune system, making more nutrients available from the feed; they are also reported to improve nutrient digestibility. The double sodium salt of formic acid, having the same antimicrobial properties as formic acid, has become more prevalent in poultry diets, due to its improved handling properties. In a recent trial conducted at a research farm in Taiwan, sodium diformate (NaDF; 0.15% inclusion rate) was tested in a commercial broiler diet, against a control diet containing no acidifier. 120 day-old broiler chicks (male Arbor Acres) were randomly selected and divided into 2 treatment groups with 3 replicates each. Feed and water were available ad libitum. The effects of NaDF on performance (final weight, FCR, broiler index) and nutrient utilization (CP, crude fat) were examined after 39 days. Data were analysed using the t-test and a confidence level of 95% was defined for these analyses.

Performance was enhanced in the birds fed 0.15% NaDF. Treated birds were significantly heavier (2467 g vs. 2316 g; P<0.05), while the FCR improved only numerically (1.68 vs. 1.71). Nutrient utilization was also improved (numerically for CP: 63.5 vs. 61.6; significantly for crude fat: 91.6 vs. 90.5; P<0.05).  

This study demonstrates that including NaDF in broiler diets is beneficial to performance and improves nutrient utilization.