Effect of dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid in coccidial infections on broiler chicken

Abstract

The effect of dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid on broiler chicken challenged with coccidial oocysts was studied. The percentage mortality was significant (P<0.05) for all the treatments. The adrenal weight, caecal length and width for all the treatments were significantly (P<0.05) different. Caecum length was longest (7.20cm) in birds not supplemented with ascorbic and shortest in the supplemented group (4.33cm) The feed-to-gain ratio showed no significant (P>0.05) difference, though, diets supplemented with ascorbic acid had the best feed-to-gain ratio (3.49). Haematologic indices, white blood cell count, plasma lipids and plasma protein were significantly (P<0.05) different for all the treatments. Packed cell volume (PCV) percentage was highest (32.25%) in the diet with continuous ascorbic acid supplementation while it was least in the non-supplemented group(25.65%). The white blood cell count was least in the supplemented group (25.50 x 103/mm3) whereas it was 38.00 x 103/mm3 in the non-supplemented group. The live and dressed weights were significantly (P<0.05) different with the ascorbic acid supplemented diets having the heaviest weight (1653g and 1150g respectively). Ascorbic acid should therefore be incorporated into broiler diets to enable them overcome the effects of coccidial infections especially in the hot humid environment

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 5 2004: 14-18