Authors:
Ani, Augustine Ogbonna
, Onodugo, Mathew Onyeka
, Udeh, Valentine Chukwuebuka
and *Torhemen,
Lynda Ngodoo, Nigeria
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Abstract:
Study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplemental lysolecithin at different levels on the
growth performance of broiler chicks. One hundred and eighty (180) day-old broiler chicks were
used for the study. The birds were randomly allotted to five treatment groups of 36 birds each,
and assigned to five treatments using a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments
were as follows: Treatment 1,0g lysolecithin; 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 was replicated 3 times with 12
birds per replicate. Feed and water were provided to the birds ad libitum. Results showed that
there were significant differences (p < 0.05) among the dietary treatments in final body weight,
total weight gain and average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, Feed Conversion
Ratio FCR, Protein Efficiency Ratio PER and feed cost per kg gain values of the broiler chicks.
Birds fed diets containing lysolecithin had significantly (p < 0.05) higher final body weight, total
weight gain and daily weight gain values than those fed the control diet (diet containing 0%
lysolecithin). Birds in treatment 2 (diet containing 100g of lysolecithin /100kg of diet) had the
highest average daily feed intake value. Birds fed diets containing lysolecithin had similar FCR
values and these were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the FCR value of birds fed the control
diet. Birds fed diets containing lysolecithin had similar PER values and these were significantly
(p < 0.05) higher than the PER value of birds fed the control diet. Birds fed diets containing
lysolecithin had similar feed cost per kg gain values and these were significantly (p < 0.05) lower
than the feed cost per kg gain value of birds fed the control diet. It was concluded that the
inclusion of lysolecithin as a feed additive in the diet of starter broiler birds improved feed
efficiency, growth performance and reduced feed cost per kg weight gain of birds. |
