Effect of different feed physical forms (Pellet, Crumble, Mash) on the performance and liver health in broiler chicken with and without carbon tetrachloride challenge

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of physical feed form on productive performance and liver function in broiler chickens toxified or not with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The experiment was conducted on 468 ten-day-old broiler chickens fed with mash, crumble and pelleted diets from day 11 to 42 of age. Birds from toxified groups were three times intramuscularly injected with CCl4(0.5, 0.5 and 0.75 ml/kg body weight) at day 14, 21 and 28 of age, respectively. The main factors interaction showed that daily weight gain of birds fed with pelleted diet was higher in comparison with those grown on crumble and mash diets but only when birds were challenged with CCl4. The feed physical form influenced European production efficiency index with higher values observed for birds fed with pelleted diet from day 29 to 42 of age. Liver fat percentage increased by 2.06% in birds fed with pelleted diet compared with those grown on mash one. Broilers offered pelleted diet showed greater serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration compared with those fed with crumble diet but only when birds were challenged with CCl4. The frequency of score zero indicating liver with no visible injuries was greater in broilers fed with crumble diet (58.33%) than in those receiving mash and pelleted diets after 31-day feeding period. In summary, the feed physical form can affect broiler growth performance and blood biochemical parameters in broilers subjected to CCl4challenge. However, further studies using higher doses of CCl4should be conducted to induce more pronounced liver dysfunction in experimental birds.