Effects of Red Seaweed (Palmaria palmata) Supplemented Diets Fed to Broiler Chickens Raised under Normal or Stressed Conditions

Abstract

Red seaweed (Palmaria palmata) (P.p.), was fed to broiler chickens for 33 or 35 days in two trials to compare P.p. to inulin and an antibiotic to determine the effective inclusion level of P.p. Trial one was conducted in cages to investigate antibiotic, no feed additive and different inclusion levels of P.p. or inulin at: 0.6%, 1.2%, 1.8%, 2.4% and 3.0% of the diet. In trial one, birds fed 1.8% P.p. had increased beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) in the ileum. The second trial was conducted under a combination of stressors on the floor and fed dietary levels of P.p. at 0.6%, 1.8% and 3% and 2.5% inulin, antibiotic or no feed additive. The stressed environment suppressed Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the ileum. Broilers fed 1.8% P.p. were heaviour at 33 days and beneficial bacteria in the ileum, serum IgA and ileal villus width, height and surface area were all increased.