Improving Litter Quality of Broiler Chickens Using Dietary Bentonite Technology Dim C.E., Iwuchukwu J.C.1, Udoye C.E.1,* Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka-410 001, Nigeria 1Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka-410001, Nigeria *Corresponding author: charles.udoye@unn.edu.ng
Online published on 13 April, 2022. Abstract Growth and litter characteristics of broiler chickens fed dietary bentonite (BT) were determined in an eight week study using d old chicks of Cobb strain (n=120). Chicks were assigned to four groups with three replications of ten chicks per replicate adopting a completely randomized design. Groups were labeled according to BT inclusions thus: T1, 0g; T2, 10g; T3, 20g; T4, 30g BT kg–1 diet. Feed and water were ad libitum. Vaccinations and prophylaxis were routinely administered. Data accrued from growth and litter assessment were analyzed. Results indicated non-significant differences (P>0.05) in the birds’ growth indices. However, considerable differences (P<0.05) among treatments were observed in litter pH during initial and terminal litter sampling. T2 and T4 had less pH values (5.11 and 5.44) that differed (P<0.05) from the top values of T1 (6.02). Nevertheless, pH of T1 (7.24) differed (P<0.05) among treatments, with the most acidic litter (P<0.05) recorded for T3 (6.11). T1 had higher (P<0.05) litter moisture (26.50%) than T2 (24.03%), T3 (21.82%) and T4 (21.91%). Litter nitrogen was high (P<0.05) in T1 (3.63%) and low (P<0.05) in T3 (3.00%). Terminal sampling documented T1 with high nitrogen (4.04%) and significantly different (P<0.05) from T2 (3.48%), T3 (3.50%) and T4 (3.65%). Conclusively, dietary bentonite up to 30g BT kg–1 feed promoted litter quality features of broilers without affecting their growth. Therefore, this dietary technology should be advocated and disseminated among poultry producers especially in urban areas who have been yawning for such technology to abate odour implications in their broiler houses. Top Keywords Bentonite, Cobb broiler, Litter quality, Odour Implication, Urbanization, Extension. Top |