EFFECT OF ACETIC ACID ADDED TO DRINKING WATER OF TWO BROILER STRAINS ON PERFORMANCE AND SMALL INTESTINE HISTOLOGICAL

Abstract

In this experiment we study the effect of acetic acids on the performance of broiler chickens. A total of one day old broiler chicks 215 of Cobb-500 strain and 215 of Ross-308 strain were distributed randomly into 3 treatments and 3 replicates. Broiler chickens in control group (T1) were drinking only tap water, T2 and T3 were added 1% and 2% acetic acid mixed in drinking tap water. The results showed significantly increase (P<0.05) in body weight, body weight gain, better feed conversion, Villi height and crypt depth of (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and Lactobacillus content when added acetic acid 1% and 2% in the treatments T2 and T3 respectively in the both strains Ross-300 and Cobb-500 as compared with T1 (control), While, the results showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in mortality, Enterococcus and E. Coli content in the treatments T2 and T3 for both strains especially T3 when added 2% acetic acid to drinking water. While, there were non- significant effect between the two strains (Ross-308 and Cobb-500).