Bedding’ dry sanitization with aluminosilicates affects its chemical composition, growth performance, meat quality, and footpad dermatitis incidence in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of aluminosilicates used as a litter additive on production performance, carcass composition, litter chemical composition, and footpad dermatitis (FPD) in broiler chickens. A total of 240 Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one control group (CON) and three experimental groups. Zeolite and halloysite (80:20) were applied to the litter at 125 g/m² either once (DSA1), twice (DSA2), or six times (DSA6) during the 42-day rearing period. Production parameters, including viability, body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), growth rate (GR), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the European production efficiency factor, were monitored throughout rearing. Post slaughter, carcass yield, carcass composition, and physicochemical traits of breast and leg muscles (pH, color, water-holding capacity, and drip loss) were determined. The chemical composition of the litter and the incidence of FPD were also assessed. Birds from the DSA6 group showed significantly lower FI and FCR compared with the other groups (P<0.001; P=0.032). Chickens from the DSA2 group exhibited significantly greater water loss in leg muscles compared with CON and DSA6 (P=0.011). Litter from the experimental groups contained significantly more dry matter than that from the CON group (P<0.001). In addition, magnesium (P=0.001) and phosphorus (P=0.004) contents were higher in the litter of the DSA2 and DSA6 groups, and iron content was higher in DSA6 (P<0.001). The incidence of FPD was significantly reduced in the DSA6 group (P<0.001). Overall, frequent application of aluminosilicates in litter improved FI and FCR while lowering the incidence of FPD, indicating beneficial effects on both production efficiency and animal welfare. Furthermore, the used litter contained increased concentrations of selected minerals, which may enhance its potential value for agricultural use. Based on the present findings, weekly dry sanitization with zeolite and halloysite can be recommended as an effective strategy in broiler production systems.