Control of winter ascites in commercial broiler chicken through proprietary formulation

Abstract

High growth rates in poultry made them susceptible to various metabolic problems like ascites. The literature has strongly correlated higher metabolic rates with ascites problem in broiler chicken. The workload on the heart and the oxygen demand of the body becomes higher as the growth rate increases. The modern chicken has been genetically selected for higher growth rates, metabolism, and increased feed efficiency which requires more nutrients as well as oxygen. This study assessed the influence of a propriety formulation, Ascitox – Q10, on the winter ascites and the consequent livability and growth performance of broiler chicken. The mortality was divided into two stages; M1 (mortality up to 15 days of age) and M2 (mortality after 15 days). The results revealed significantly lower M1 (p<0.05), M2, and overall mortality (p<0.01) in Ascitox supplemented birds compared to control birds. However, the extent of influence of Ascitox was more pronounced on M2 mortality compared to M1 mortality. There was no strain effect on the mortality pattern of birds across different farms under study. In general the farms under study were characterized by spells of sudden deaths overnight. The average weight gain of birds was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Ascitox supplemented birds compared to control birds with no significant effect on their feed intake. However, numerically feed intake of control birds was more than the Ascitox supplemented birds which has led to significantly lower (P<0.01) FCR of Ascitox supplemented birds. In conclusion the supplementation of Ascitox – Q10 is a fruitful nutritional intervention which has controlled the ascites induced mortality in broiler chicken with improved growth performance at commercial farms.