Acta Vet. Brno 2010, 79: 385-393
Effect of Diet Supplemented with Natural Humic Compounds and Sodium Humate on Performance and Selected Metabolic Variables in Broiler Chickens
The effect of humic substances from different sources on the performance and selected biochemical indicators was studied in 150 one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) divided into control (C) and two tested groups (n = 50). Chickens of tested groups were fed diets supplemented with natural humic compounds (group HS) and sodium humate (group HNa) at amounts of 5 g·kg-1 of feeds in phase 1 and 7 g·kg-1 of feeds in phases 2 and 3 of the fattening period. Higher final body weights (not significant) were observed in both tested groups (2527.6 g for HS; 2481.5 g for HNa) than in the control group (2476.6 g). The feed conversion ratio throughout the whole experiment was lower in the HS group (P < 0.001) and higher in the HNa group (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. The European Efficiency Index reached at the end of the experiment was the highest in the HS group (P < 0.001) and the lowest in the HNa group compared to the control group. Differences in total protein, albumin, total lipids, triglycerides and phosphorus among the tested groups were not significant. Higher values of Ca (P < 0.05) in the HS group and lower cholesterol (P < 0.05) in the HNa group were observed after 14 days; lower AST (P < 0.05) in the HS group and lower calcium (P < 0.05) and higher glucose (P < 0.01) in the HNa group were observed after 35 days of the experiment in comparison with the control group.
