This study evaluates the production performance, immune responses and carcass traits in broiler chickens (0 to 42 days) fed diet with incorporated Kappaphycus alvarezii (AF-KWP). Day-old chicks (280) were randomly distributed into 35 groups with 8 chicks in each group (7 dietary treatments × 5 replicates). Seven experimental diets were formulated by adding 0 (control—T₁), 0.25 AF-KWP (T₂), 0.50 AF-KWP (T₃), 0.75 AF-KWP (T₄), 1.00 AF-KWP (T₅), 1.25 AF-KWP (T₆) and 1.50 AF-KWP (T₇) respectively. Body weight gain (g) significantly (P < 0.05) improved in the growing phase (21–42 days) and overall value (0–42 days); however, feed intake (g) differed significantly (P < 0.05) in T₇ and T₆ groups only in the growing (21–42 days) phase, compared to control and other treated groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) by the feeding of diets containing different levels of AF-KWP. Haemagglutination (HA) titre and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in AF-KWP supplemented groups as compared to the control group. No significant (P > 0.05) difference was recorded in the percentage of carcass traits and organ weights but significant improvement (P < 0.05) was recorded in cut up parts (percentage of live wt.) between the control and some AF-KWP-supplemented groups. From the results, it may be concluded that K. alvarezii (AF-KWP) can be incorporated at 1.25% level in broiler diets for improved performance, immuno-responsiveness and breast yield in broiler chickens.

The original link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10811-018-1498-y