4TH International Congress on Technology - Engineering & SCIENCE - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia (2017-08-05)

Effects Of Licorice Extract And Probiotic On Performance, Droppings Characteristics And Welfare Related Parameters Of Broiler Chickens In High Stocking Density
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Licorice extract and probiotic on performance, excreta characteristics and welfare related parameters of broiler chickens reared in high stoking density condition. Three hundred thirty six 1-d old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates for 42 days. Dietary treatments were; 1- Negative control (NC) with high stoking density (18 chicks/m2), 2- Positive control (PC) with normal stoking density (12 chicks/m2), 3- NC + 500 ppm licorice extract (LE), 4- NC+ 200 ppm probiotics (P), and 5-NC + 500 ppm LE + 200 ppm P. The results of this experiment indicated that body weight gain (BWG) was affected negatively by increasing density in growing period (P< 0.05). BWG was increased in growing and whole period by adding LE separately and LE and P together to broiler diet when compared with NC (P< 0.05). In terms of feed conversion ratio (FCR), it was affected by stoking density in whole period, and it was higher in NC rather than PC. However, FCR, was improved in NC+ LE group rather than NC in growing and whole period. Based on the results of this experiment, weight and dry matter of excreta were decreased and moisture of excreta was increased by increasing stoking density. Weight and dry matter content of broilers excreta that reared in high stoking density, in NC+LE+P group was decreased significantly rather than NC (P< 0.05). Weight and dry matter content of broilers litter were same excreta. Gait score and footpad and hock burn scores were increased by increasing stocking density and were not altered by addition of feed additives to broiler diets. Tibia length, proximal and distal epiphysis diameter were decreased by increasing stocking density, however, inclusion feed additives to broiler diets hadn’t any effect on this parameters. In conclusion, use of Licorice extract and probiotic can improved BWG and FCR of broilers that reared in high stocking density condition, however this birds have some disorders in footpad, hock and walking ability.
Neda Rashidi, Mohammad Reza Ghorbani , Ahmad Tatar , Somayyeh Sallari