An experiment was conducted to determine the dietary effect of different levels of ground black pepper (Piper nigrum) on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. There were five dietary treatments each containing 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 % black pepper (BP) fed at both starter and finisher phases. One hundred and fifty (150) day old chicks of Arbor-acre strain were divided into five dietary groups having three replication with 10 in each. The five dietary treatments were randomly assigned into five groups. The birds were fed and watered ad libitum. At the starter phase 0.25 and 0.5 % BP improved live weight significantly (p<0.05). Feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) reduced at 1.00% BP. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in daily gain, feed: gain ratio and protein efficiency ratio. At the finisher phase, final live weight was improved by 0.25% (p<0.05). Final live weight, feed intake, weight gain, feed: gain ratio and protein efficiency ratio were negatively affected by 0.75 and 1.0%BP. Fecal moisture was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by 0.25% while dry matter, protein and ether extract digestibility were improved by all the levels of BP. None of the BP levels improved crude fibre digestibility (p>0.05) over the control. NFE and energy utilization were improved by 0.25 and 0.5%, but significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 1.00% BP.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2015. 44(2): 120-127

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of organic acids (acetic, butyric, citric and formic acids) on growth and nutrient digestibility of broilers. One hundred fifty (150) day old Hubbard chicks were used. There were five dietary treatments such viz Diet 1 as control contained no organic acid, diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 contained 0.25% acetic, butyric, citric and formic acids, respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times having 10 birds arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were given ad libitum. Feeding of organic acid diets lasted for 7 weeks starting from the second week.  At the starter phase, formic acid improved live weight. Feed and water intakes were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by butyric acid.  Feed: gain ratio was improved by formic acid. At the finisher phase, live weight was significantly (P<0.05) improved by the acids except butyric acid. Feed intake, daily gain and feed: gain ratio were not significant (P>0.05). Crude protein and ether extracts digestibility were improved by all the organic acids (P<0.05). It is therefore concluded that 0.25% formic acid could be added to broiler diets.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (2): 10-17

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of feeds acidified with different organic acids on apparent nutrient digestibility, faecal moisture, digesta pH and digesta viscosity of broilers. The organic acids were acetic, butyric, citric and formic acids. One hundred and fifty (150) day old Arbor-acre chicks were used. There were five treatments (T). T1 which served as control consumed feed without the organic acids, while treatments (T2, T3, T4 and T5) were offered feed treated with 0.25% acetic, butyric, citric and formic acids respectively for seven weeks. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Results showed that faecal moisture and digesta pH were reduced (P<0.05) by the organic acids. Digestibility of protein, ether extract and crude fibre were improved. Feeding of acetic and butyric acids resulted to significant reduction of digesta viscosity in the duodenum. Nitrogen free extract digestibility was reduced (P<0.05) by the acids. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the acids on energy utilization. In conclusion, the organic acids could be used in diets for broilers for better gut performance.

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