Effect Of Dietary Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) supplementation On Performance And Hysiological Response In Cockerels

Abstract

Concentrated HCl of 11.6 molar concentrations was supplemented in cockrel feed at 0.0 (control) 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00m1/kg feed in a 28 day experiment. The chicks were slaughtered on day 30, performance characteristic and physiological indices were investigated. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between control and HCl treatment for feed intake, crude protein intake and feed: gain ratio. Significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between control and HCl treatment for water intake and daily weight gain. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in organ temperature with increase in HCl supplementation. However, organ pH and invivo protein content in crop and gizzard significantly decreased (p<0.05) in HCl supplementation. The result of this trial showed that HCl has the
potential for improving feed utilization in cockerels.