Effect of nanoclay minerals on growth performance, internal organs and blood biochemistry of broiler chickens compared to vaccines and antibiotics

Abstract

The study objective was to investigate the effect of three levels of nanoclay minerals (1%, 1.5% and 2%) on growth performance, internal organs and blood biochemistry of broiler chickens compared to vaccines and antibiotics. An experiment of nine dietary treatments was conducted for over than 36 days. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were fed diet without nanoclay minerals and served as control group (positive with vaccines and antibiotics (C1), positive with vaccines only (C2) and negative without any of them (C3). Treatments groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were fed the same diet with the above-mentioned levels once a week or once in 2 weeks. 2% nanoclay minerals fed at the two intervals significantly improved broilers' performance in terms of live body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to control groups. Concerning blood biochemistry, high-density lipoprotein which known to be beneficial for humans increased (P < .05) by feeding 1.5% nanoclay minerals at the two ages compared to control groups and other treatments. In conclusion, the present results indicate that nanoclay minerals in particular levels and doses improve the growth performance of broiler chickens. Nanotechnology as a new tool has the potential to improve broiler production.