Performance characteristics and microbiological aspects of broilers fed diets supplemented with organic acids

Abstract

The effects of supplementation of broiler diets with organic acids on live performance and microbiological parameters were evaluated in a series of experiments. In three trials lactic acid (LA) (0.25 to 2.00%) or fumaric acid (FA) (0.5 to 2.00%), and in two trials a formic/propionic acid blend (FP) (.125 to 1.00%) or citric acid (CA) (0.25 to 2.00%) was continually fed to broilers that were inoculated via the drinking water with 108 to 10 9 CFU/ml nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella typhimurium (NAL-SAL) on days 2, 7, and 14. Cecal pH, weight and percentage (on a liveweight basis) were measured at 41 days of age. Performance variables were measured at 21 and 42 days. At 42 days birds were processed and the ceca and prechill carcasses were evaluated for incidence and levels of NAL-SAL. LA, FA, and CA had no adverse effects on live bird performance. The FP blend gave inconsistent results on body weight and feed consumption; the blend did not alter feed conversion or mortality. Neither LA nor FA affected cecal pH; however, the pH was altered when the FP blend or CA was fed. None of the acids affected cecal weight or percentage. None of the acids consistently reduced levels of NALSAL in the ceca or on the prechill carcasses. The results from this study and numerous others suggest that feeding organic acids to broilers is not a reliable means of controlling cecal colonization or carcass contamination by Salmonella. The results also suggest that reductions in cecal colonization by pathogens such as Salmonella do not necessarily result in processed carcasses that are contaminated to a lesser degree. Copyright ©, International Association of Milk, Food and Environmental Sanitarians.