ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of 0.5% natural zeolites (clinoptilolite) to the diet of broilers and their effect on water and feed intake and excreta characteristics. The test was carried out in metabolic cages, with commercial line broilers, in the period from 14 to 23 days old. The experiment was conducted with two groups of broilers: one group received diet without zeolite inclusion (control) and the other received a diet with 0.5% inclusion of zeolite (clinoptilolite) in balanced diets, in a completely randomized design, with 10 replicates of 10 broilers. Water and feed intake, pH, total nitrogen, and moisture of excreta were evaluated. The inclusion of 0.5% of natural zeolites in the diet did not change (P>0.05) the water and feed intake and total nitrogen of excreta, nevertheless, it decreased (P<0.05) the pH and moisture of excreta. We conclude that the addition of 0.5% natural zeolites to the diet of broilers decreases pH and moisture of excreta and can be used as feed additive without compromising water and feed intake.
Keywords:
Ammonia; clinoptilolite,moisture of excreta; pH of excreta