Influence of a new saponite-containing feed additive on the productive qualities of broiler chickens

The article presents the results of the study on the introduction of a saponite-containing mineral feed additive of natural origin into the diet of ROSS-308 broiler chickens in the amount of 1, 3 and 5 kg per ton of feed. An increase in the average daily gain by 3.7; 4.3 and 4.4 g, respectively, and in the absolute gain by 154.7; 174.9 and 181.3 g in the period from 1 to 42 days of age was found. At the time of slaughter, the live weight of chickens in the 1st and 2nd experimental groups significantly exceeded the control: by 174.6 (6.3%; P ≤ 0.001) and 154.6 g (5.6%; P ≤ 0.001). The survival rate of the experimental group chickens was 6.7% higher. In the blood of chickens from experimental groups 1–3, compared with the control analogs, an increase in total protein by 1.5; 2.2 and 2.1 g/l, calcium by 0.28; 0.21 and 0.29 mmol/l, phosphorus by 0.3; 0.43 and 0.42 mmol/l was recorded. A conclusion was made about an increase in the economic and biological indicators of broiler chickens when adding a saponite-containing mineral supplement to the diet, due to the enrichment of the compound feed with minerals and the high sorption capacity of the above-mentioned supplement, while the best effect was achieved when including it in the feed in the amount of 3 kg per ton.