Abstract

SILVA, R.D.M.; MENTEN, J.F.M.; CARDOSO, M.K.  and  GHIRARDI, G.G.. Vitamin C supplementation associated to floor space on broiler performance. Sci. agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) [online]. 1993, vol.50, n.3, pp. 490-497. ISSN 0103-9016.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90161993000300025.

The effect of vitamin C supplementation (75 and 150 mg/kg) was evaluated in male broiler feeding under heat stress, crowding and normal floor space conditions. The results showed that crowding conditions (10 vs. 14 birds/m²) affected negatively (P<0.05) body weight gain from 28 to 48 days of age. Feed conversion from 35 to 48 days of age was unproved (P<0.01) in birds supplemented with 75 mg/kg as compared to the control. Birds which received 150 mg of vitamin C per kg of feed showed better feed conversion than the control birds, but differences were not significant.

Keywords : vitamin C; stress; hot weather; floor space; broilers.