Authors:
Ani, Augustine Ogbonna
., Onodugo, Mathew Onyeka
., Udeh, Valentine Chukwuebuka
and *Torhemen,
Lynda Ngodoo, Nigeria |
Abstract:
The response of noiler chicks to diets containing varying dietary levels of lysolecithin was
investigated. Three hundred (300) day-old noiler chicks were used for the study. The birds were
randomly allotted to five treatment groups of 60 birds each, and assigned to five treatments using
a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were designated as follows: Treatment
1,0g lysoecithin; Treatment 2, 100g lysolecithin/100kg of feed; Treatment 3, 200g
lysolecithin/100kg of feed; Treatment 4, 300g lysolecithin/100kg of feed and Treatment 5, 400g
lysolecithin/100kg of feed. Each treatment group was replicated three times with 20 birds per
replicate. Feed and water were provided to the birds ad libitum. Data were collected on growth
parameters: live weights, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency
ratio, digestibility coefficients and oxidative status of birds. Results showed that significant (p <
0.05) differences existed among treatments in average daily feed intake (ADFI), total feed intake
(TFI), daily protein intake (DPI), feed cost per kg, cost of daily feed intake, cost of total feed
intake and feed cost per kg gain. Significant differences (p < 0.05) also existed among the dietary
treatments in apparent retention (% of intake) of dry matter (DM) and in crude fiber digestibility
coefficient. Supplementation of the noiler diets with lysolecithin had significant effect (p < 0.05)
on glutathione reductase (GR), while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) were not
significantly (p > 0.05) affected by treatments. It was concluded that 100g of lysolecithin can be
included in 100kg of feed to enhance feed intake, feed cost per kg gain and DM retention. |
