​Effect of Chemically Amended Litter and Supplementing Low Protein Diet with Amino Acids on Immune Status, Carcass Characteristics, Biochemical Parameters and Broiler Chicken Behavior during Summer

Abstract

Background: Ammonia gas present in poultry shed critically affects the health and welfare condition of bird and the labourer which are working at the poultry farm. Good litter management and low protein diet minimize the ammonia concentration resulting in overall improvement of the bird’s welfare. The current study was aimed to estimate the effect of alum sulphate in litter and addition of essential amino acids in a low protein diet on immunity status, serum biochemical parameters, carcass parameters and behavior welfare of broiler chicks. Methods: A total of 240 (day old) Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four treatment groups, having 3 replicates of 20 chicks each. Control group (Tc) had no dietary and litter amendments, whereas, experiment groups include litter amendment with alum sulphate @ 90 gm/sq.ft. (TL) dietary amendment with low protein supplemented with essential amino acids like lysine, methionine, threonine (TD) and both dietary and litter amendment (TLD). Result: The results showed that immune status was better in the litter treated groups as compare to control and TD group. The overall hygiene of the birds was better in treatment groups. It can be concluded that treatment of litter with alum sulphate improved protein metabolism and carcass quality and also help in providing a comfortable environment to the broiler birds.