K. Marzouq, S., F. Saad, H. (2025). EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHARCOAL IN THE DIET ON THE PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS. , 23(1), 197-215. doi: 10.32649/ajas.2025.186610
S. K. Marzouq; H. F. Saad. "EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHARCOAL IN THE DIET ON THE PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS". , 23, 1, 2025, 197-215. doi: 10.32649/ajas.2025.186610
K. Marzouq, S., F. Saad, H. (2025). 'EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHARCOAL IN THE DIET ON THE PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS', , 23(1), pp. 197-215. doi: 10.32649/ajas.2025.186610
K. Marzouq, S., F. Saad, H. EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHARCOAL IN THE DIET ON THE PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS. , 2025; 23(1): 197-215. doi: 10.32649/ajas.2025.186610

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHARCOAL IN THE DIET ON THE PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 1, June 2025, Pages 197-215    PDF (542.76 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.32649/ajas.2025.186610
Authors
S. K. Marzouq; H. F. Saad
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Basra, Iraq
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of including different amounts of charcoal in broiler diets on their growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass traits, intestinal microbiota, and blood biochemical traits. A total of 324 unsexed day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks weighing 41.6 g on average were randomly distributed into four groups comprising a control (T1) with a standard diet, and three treatment groups whose diets were supplemented with charcoal at 1.5% (T2), 3% (T3), and 4.5% (T4), respectively. The results showed that the T3 group had the highest average weekly weights and cumulative weight gain, significantly better growth rates and feed efficiency, and the best FCR rates compared to other treatments. Carcass analysis showed that adding charcoal resulted in higher breast and thigh meat percentages, improving fresh meat quality. Moreover, it notably favored an enteric epithelial microbiota by decreasing pathogenic Salmonella and E. coli while promoting beneficial Lactobacillus. This improvement was clearly seen in their enhanced health status as indicated by higher packed cell volumes, hemoglobin, and total protein levels in the blood. These results suggest that charcoal supplementation in broiler diets improves growth performance, feed efficiency, and health status, supporting its potential as a beneficial supplement for poultry diets
Keywords
Charcoal; Broiler; Productivity; Physiological performance
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