The effect of feeding a natural feed additive on the performance of broiler chickens

Abstract

Natural feed additive is made on the basis of bottom sediments of the steppe reservoirs of the Krasnodar Territory and is a dry powder of a grayish tint. Mineralization of local bottom sediments is 6.5 g/kg, calcium content is 29.7 g/kg, macronutrients from 1.04 to 25.8 g/kg, trace elements from 0.03 to 0.7 g/kg. The medium reaction is from neutral to slightly alkaline. Using sapropel feed additives (SFA), it was possible to increase the gross live weight gain of broiler chickens by 1.7-2.0% while reducing feed costs per 1 kg of gain by 0.5%. All internal organs of the poultry were developed within normal limits. There was profitability increase by 1.1% in growing broilers, when using sapropel feed additives in full feed. Blood biochemical values were at an optimal level. Therefore, this feed additive can be considered as a natural feed ingredient; however, it is necessary to further develop a complex feed additive from natural components that partially or completely meets the requirement of the poultry in biologically active substances and micronutrients.