EFFECT OF WATER ACIDIFICATION ON PERFORMANCE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTIC AND SOME VARIABLES OF INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM IN CHICKS

The effect of water acidification on performance and some biochemical parameters was studied in 100 one day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) divided into control and treatment groups (n = 50) supplied with drinking water supplemented with acidifier (blend of acids) in a concentration of 0.2 % during the whole experimental period. Final body weight, hot carcass yield, abdominal fat pad and metabolic variables in the blood serum except for aspartate aminotranspherase (AST) level which was significantly lower on 35th day (p<0.01), were not affected by the acidifier. Higher weight gain in the treated group due to better feed efficiency was observed in the first phase. Higher feed intake in the third phase of the trial caused higher final feed conversion ratio (p<0.01). Use of the acidifier positively affected bird health status (zero mortality) which was reflected in higher EEI values observed in the treated group on the 35th, as well as 42nd day of the trial.