Effect of ascorbic acid on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler birds in semi-arid zone, Sokoto state, Nigeria

Authors

  • Aminu Umar Abdullahi Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Saadu Aliyu College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Wurno, Sokoto State, Nigeria
  • Abdulrahman Bello Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Ibrahim Shehu Usman Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Yahaya Jafaru Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Keywords:

Broiler chicken, Ascorbic acid, Carcass characteristics, Body weight, Performance

Abstract

Marshal strain of broiler chicken were used to determine the effect of Ascorbic acid (AA) on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler birds at starter and finisher phase in Sokoto, Nigeria at different levels of AA inclusion. 225 day-old chicks were housed in a standard open sided tropical house type under deep litter system. The birds were randomly assigned to three treatments (0g, 10g and 20gAA) replicated Five times in completely randomize design (CRD). Feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. At the end of the experiment, 15 birds were randomly selected from each treatment, fasted, killed and their carcass weight analyzed. The result showed that there is significance difference P<(0.05) between BW and FCR at starter phase. And no significant difference P>(0.05) between FI and BWG. At finisher phase, the result showed that there is significance difference P<(0.05) between BW and BWG and significance difference P>(0.05) does not exist  between FI and FCR across all the treatments. Birds fed diet with 0g AA performed better compared to other treatments in terms of FCR at finisher phase. While in the finisher phase those fed with 10g AA performed better compared to other treatments on the remaining parameters and also better in FCR at starter phase. Carcass analysis revealed significance difference P<(0.05) between the treatment means with response to drumstick, legs, neck and gizzard while the other cuts and organs were statistically similar. Birds fed with 10g were superior in most of the parameters mentioned. It's recommended that to include AA in broiler diets at 10g level of AA.

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Published

2020-03-14

How to Cite

Abdullahi, A. U. ., Aliyu, S. ., Bello, A. ., Usman, I. S. ., & Jafaru, Y. . (2020). Effect of ascorbic acid on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler birds in semi-arid zone, Sokoto state, Nigeria. Scientific Journal of Crop Science, 9(3), 505-521. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjcs/article/view/10

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Vol. 9 No. 3 (2020): March

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Original Article

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