Effects of water acidifiers on the growth performance, intestinal function and gut microflora in broilers

1. This study evaluated the effect of acidified drinking water on the gastrointestinal function and intestinal health of broilers.2. A total of 630 one-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acre) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: drinking water treatment (CON), drinking water + 0.5 ml Selko pH®/L (Selko pH), or + 0.85 ml Forticoat®/L (Forticoat) treated groups. Performance data, gut and digesta samples were collected from the broilers at the age of 21 and 42 d.3. The results showed that acidifying drinking water had no significant effect on body weight or average daily gain (ADG). However, addition of Forticoat significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) throughout the experimental period and significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) pepsin activity on d 21. The Selko pH supplemented drinking water significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) the relative length of the duodenum and jejunum on d 21. The relative length of the jejunum and caecum on d 42 compared to birds receiving CON. The addition of the Forticoat to drinking water significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) the relative length of the jejunum and caecum on d 42 than for samples from birds in the CON group. In the caecal chyme, abundance of <i>Blautia</i>, <i>Bifidobasterium</i>, <i>Faecalibacterium</i>, <i>Limosilactobacillus</i> and <i>Akkermania</i> spp. on d 21 were significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the caecum of birds receiving Selko pH than those in CON group and the number of <i>Escherichia Shigella</i> in Selko pH and Forticoat group were significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05).4. Overall, adding Seiko pH and Forticoat to drinking water improved pepsin activity, reduced the number of caecal pathogens, increased the number of beneficial bacteria and improved intestinal health in broilers.