Effect of phytogenic feed additives on live performance and meat quality of older broilers

     

Challenges and demand in the poultry industry paired with volatile feed ingredient costs and varying meat prices continue to persist. Thus, focusing on value-add feed additive selection is vital, especially with birds reared longer. Phytogenic feed additives have shown to improve nutrient digestion and utilization as well as meat quality properties. Based on several digestibility studies, Delacon developed nutritional matrix values for Biostrong^TM 510 (BSG), called the Performizer^TM solution (PS). The objective of this trial was to evaluate the impact of feeding BSG (on-top) and via PS matrix values (AME, CP, and digestible AA) by measuring production performance and meat quality of Ross 708 male broilers in a RCBD. Four dietary treatments were tested: 1) control, 2) 150 g/MT BSG 0-42 days, 3) 150 g/MT BSG 0-56 days, and 4) 150 g/MT BSG 0-56 days (PS from 42 to 56 days) with 16 replicates/treatment at 25 birds/replicate from 0 to 56 days of age. Birds were fed four phase corn/soybean meal based basal diets formulated to meet or exceed breeder recommendations (0-14, 14-28, 28-42, 42-56 d). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and means separated using Fisher’s LSD at p ≤ 0.05. Feed intake, body weight, and feed conversion ratio were measured during each feed phase. At 0-42 d, birds fed BSG exhibited a significantly lower FCR than the control (p< 0.05). A trend (p=0.103) was observed for 0-55 d BW gain, wherein birds fed TRT 3 and 4 had numerically higher gain versus 1 and 2. At 56 days, birds were processed. Live body weight, carcass, breast meat (fillet, tender & total), leg weight yield (drumstick, thigh & total), and wing processing metrics were measured. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was also measured at 55 days. Across all metrics excluding leg yields, TRT 3 and 4 were heavier than 1 and 2 (P< 0.05). TRT 2 had significantly lower total leg yields than 1 and 3 (P< 0.05). Higher TAC levels were observed in TRT 3 and 4 compared to 1 and 2 (P< 0.05). BSG and PS yielded the most profitable results in this experiment based on current US meat prices. Based on the trial results, the dietary supplementation of BSG when fed on top or utilizing matrix values can improve meat yield and quality metrics of older broilers while also optimizing production costs.

Key Words: phytogenics, broilers, feed cost, performance, digestibility.