Comparison of different levels of zeolite on serum characteristics, gut pH, apparent digestibility of crude protein and performance of broiler chickens

One expriment with 375 one-day-old Ross male broiler chicks was conducted to determine the effects of zeolite on the broiler’s performance. Three experimental diets: control, zeolite 2.5 percent and zeolite 5 percent were tested in a completely randomized design with 5 replicates and 25 chicks per replicate. All diets were formulated to meet NRC (1994) requirements. During the experiment feed consumption (FC), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly. At 21 and 42 days of age, two chicks per replicate were slaughtered to determine gut pH and ileal apparent digestibility of crude protein (AD of CP) respectively. Also, serum parameters determined at 42 days of age. The results indicated that adding 2.5 percent zeolite to diet, WG was increased (P<0.05), But there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in FC and FCR, among treatments. Also, there were no significant differences in serum calcium and phosphorus levels at 42 days of age (P>0.05). The addition of 2.5 and 5 percent zeolite, increased AD of CP (P<0.05). (Also, adding 2.5 percent zeolite increased duodenal pH at 21 days of age (P<0.05