Combination of brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) and butyric acid as in-feed growth and health promoters in broiler chickens

Abstract

Canada’s broiler industry is transitioning away from the reliance of in-feed antibiotics, and investigations of alternative feed ingredients to in-feed antibiotics is required. The purpose of these studies was to determine if Tasco (brown seaweed) and Proformix (65% butyric acid) can substitute the antibiotic Bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) either in combination or individually by examining broiler production and intestinal health parameters. Results including Tasco in broiler feed can improve growth and maintain intestinal health compared to broilers fed non Tasco diets. Tasco inclusion at 1.00% was the most consistent at improving growth performance. Mixing Tasco and Proformix did not produce larger broilers or improve intestinal health compared to broilers fed non Tasco + Proformix diets. In conclusion, Tasco can potentially replace in-feed antibiotics as a growth promoter. Mixing Tasco and Proformix requires further investigation, as the mixed diets did not alter broiler production and health traits compared to standard diets.