Productive performance of broiler chicks as affected by dietary levels of l-carnitine or herbal mixture [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A study was- conducted to dctennine the growth performance, digestibility, serum components, carcass traits, immunity, gastrointestinal tract (gut) characteristics of broilers fed diets supplemented with dietary levels of L-carnitine (LC) or herbal mixture (HM), which are among alternative growth promoters. In the study, 546 one-week-old broilers (Ross-308) were used. There were 7 dietary treatments; each consisted of 3 replicates (13 males and 13 females in each replicate). The control group was fed basal diet, L-carnitine was supplemented at 10, 20 and 30 mglkg in three experimental diets (lei, LC, and LC,) ,while, herbal mixture was supplemented at 5,10, 15 g/kg in other three experimental diets (HM", HM,and HM.), respectively. From 7 days to 42 days of age, live body weight was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in broilers fed L-camitine or herbal mixture -supplemented diets compared to the control group. The HM6 group significantly (p<O.05) recorded the best value of digestible crude fiber compared to the other tested groups. Groups supplemented with dietary 5 and 15 g HMlkg significantly (P<0.05) digested higher percentage of crude fat than LCj group. Dietary levels of L-camitine or herbal mixture significantly (p<O.05) reduced total feed intake and improved total live body weight gain more than the control group

Summary in Arabic.

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