The use of golden mussel meal of different particle sizes to feed broiler chickens aged 1–42 days

1. This study evaluated the inclusion of golden mussel meal (GMM) of varying particle sizes in broiler chicken diets on performance, bone variables, serum biochemistry and gene expression.2. Male Cobb 500 broiler chicks (<i>n</i> = 900) were distributed in a completely randomised design, comprising five treatments, 10 replicate pens and 18 birds per pen, aged from 1 to 42 d.3. The treatments consisted of a control diet (calcite limestone 376 μm) and treatments GMM 299, 375, 436 and 551 μm.4. From 1 to 21 d of age, GMM 375 μm improved body weight gain (<i>p</i> = 0.041), while GMM 551 μm increased feed conversion ratio (<i>p</i> = 0.009). At 40 d of age, GMM 436 μm increased the serum aspartate aminotransferase level (<i>p</i> = 0.046).5. At 21 d of age, the tibial Seedor index was increased in the broilers fed GMM 375 μm (<i>p</i> = 0.044). The femoral mineral matter (MM) content was increased in the broilers fed GMM 375 (<i>p</i> = 0.047). Tibial MM content was increased in the broilers fed GMM 551 μm (<i>p</i> = 0.047). At 40 d of age, MM content was increased in the broilers fed GMM 375 μm (<i>p</i> = 0.027). Femoral calcium content was reduced in the broilers fed GMM 299, 436 and 551 μm (<i>p</i> = 0.004) and the tibial phosphorus content was increased in the broilers fed GMM 375 μm (<i>p</i> = 0.003).6. In conclusion, limestone can be replaced with GMM of different particle sizes to feed broilers from 1 to 42 d of age.