Effect of using biochar as litter on broiler welfare and health

Authors

  • Vidjinnangni Fifamè Grâce Nadège Dedehou Laboratoire d’Ethnopharmacologie et de Santé Animale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 PO Box 526 Cotonou, Benin Republic.
  • Sourébou Hilaire Sanni Worogo Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Santé et Production Animale, Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, PO Box 123 Parakou, Benin Republic.
  • Boris Milognon Béhingan Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 PO Box 509, Republic of Benin.
  • Ibrahim Alkoiret Traoré Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Santé et Production Animale, Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, PO Box 123 Parakou, Benin Republic.
  • Sylvie Mawulé Hounzangbé-Adoté Laboratoire d’Ethnopharmacologie et de Santé Animale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 PO Box 526 Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of biochar used as litter on the welfare and health of broilers. 201 day-old broiler chicks of the Cobb 500 strain were divided into three experimental groups of 67 chicks each: the Biochar group (litter made up of 100% biochar from corn cobs), Mixed group (litter made up of 50% biochar and 50 % corn cobs) and the Corn cobs group (litter made up of 100% corn cobs). After 52 days of rearing, a blood sample was taken from the chickens to determine haematological, biochemical parameters and the concentration of the T3 hormone. On the 56th day, 15 chickens from each batch were slaughtered. The presence of contact dermatitis was assessed by visual examination. The weights of the carcass and various organs were determined. The type of litter induced significant differences (p<0.05) for contact dermatitis The incidence of foot pad dermatitis was 0%, 46.67%, 26.67% and that of kock burns was 0%, 6.67% and 0% respectively for Biochar group, Mixed group and Corn cobs group. Significant variations (p<0.05) were recorded from the relative weights of the lungs. The number of white blood cells was higher (p<0.05) in the mixed group while no difference was recorded for the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p>0.05). The biochemical and hormonal parameters were similar whatever the type of litter (p>0.05). Biochar therefore improves the health status of broilers and does not harm their welfare. The evaluation of the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of the litters would be interesting for the understanding of the observed effects.

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Published

2022-10-21

How to Cite

Dedehou, V. F. G. N., Worogo, S. H. S. ., Béhingan, B. M. ., Traoré , I. A., & Hounzangbé-Adoté, S. M. . (2022). Effect of using biochar as litter on broiler welfare and health. Scientific Journal of Veterinary Advances, 10(2), 325-333. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjva/article/view/1736

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Vol. 10 No. 2 (2022): October

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Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2022 Vidjinnangni Fifamè Grâce Nadège Dedehou, Sourébou Hilaire Sanni Worogo, Boris Milognon Béhingan, Ibrahim Alkoiret Traoré , Sylvie Mawulé Hounzangbé-Adoté

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