Effect of different dietary levels of acid whey powder on growth performance and immune responses of broiler chicks

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different levels of acid whey powder (AWP) and low lactose acid whey powder (LLAWP) on growth performance and immunity of broiler chicks. A total of 416 one-day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to 1 of 8 isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments (4 pen replicates; 13 birds per pen) and grown over a 42-d experimental period. The Dietary treatments included control, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5% AWP and 2.5, 5 and 7.5% LLAWP. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded biweekly throughout 42 d. Antibody titers against Newcastle and influenza viruses and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were determined to evaluate immune responses. In overall growth period, BWG in broilers received 2.5 or 5% LLAWP significantly increased and FCR in those fed 2.5% LLAWP decreased (p<0.05). Broilers received 5% LLAWP had the greatest FI in overall growth period (p<0.05). Lymphoid organs weight and antibody titers against Newcastle and influenza viruses and SRBC were not affected significantly by dietary treatments (p>0.05). It was concluded that, 2.5% dietary LLAWP improved performance and AWP could be used up to 5% in diet without adverse effects on performance and immunity of broiler chicks.