Chitosan supplementation in the diet of Rhode Island Red pullets and its effect on productive behavior and hematological variables

Abstract

Chitosan is a polymer obtained from crustacean byproducts, which has antioxidant, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties that can be used to promote growth in poultry without altering their health status. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of chitosan (0.55 % and 0.65 %) on productive behavior and hematological parameters in Rhode Island Red pullets. Forty-five pullets with an average weight of 36 ± 7.8 g were used, which were housed in cages of 1.0 m2 (5 animals/cage). The pullets were fed for 21 days with diets with different inclusions of chitosan: 1) control diet (commercial type), 2) control diet + 0.55 % chitosan (CH55), 3) control diet + 0.65 % chitosan (CH65). At the end of the feeding trial, growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), blood biometry and blood biochemistry were analyzed. Dietary supplementation with chitosan increased the final weight of the pullets and, by up to 27 %, the daily weight gain (P<0.05), compared to the control treatment. The FCR showed no significant changes with chitosan supplementation. Blood glucose concentration increased with the addition of chitosan to the diet (P<0.05). The variables of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and blood biometry showed no significant changes (P>0.05). It is concluded that the addition of chitosan in both doses favors growth without altering the health status of the pullets.