Abstract:
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of broiler chicks to diets containing 0.25, 0.50 and 1% Y-MOS. Experimental parameters covered growth performance, slaughter and carcass values, serum metabolites and economical appraisal. The experimental design used was the complete randomized design. A total of (84) day-old, 155 gm initial weight unsexed Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in this experiment. Chicks were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D), each group was divided into three replicates, each of 7 chicks. The first group A fed on control diet without Y-MOS, the other groups of chicks B, C and D were fed on diets supplemented with Y-MOS as 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00% respectively. All diets in this experiment were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous (22.5% CP) and iso-caloric (3100 Kcal/Kg) according to the recommended dietary requirement for broiler (NRC, 1994). All chicks were fed on experimental diets for 6 weeks. The results indicated that addition of Y-MOS improved the performance of broiler chicks, but the differences between treatment groups were not significant (P≥0.05), while group B (0.25 Y-MOS) had the highest values. The mortality rate was not influenced significantly by the dietary treatment. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P≥0.05) among all treatment groups in the percentages of giblets, group A (control) recorded the highest mean values; in commercial cuts and carcass dressing, group C (0.50% Y-MOS) achieved the highest values. Economical appraisal values were the profitability ratio (1.16) of group B (0.25% Y-MOS) was the highest of the test groups, whereas profitability (0.81) of group D and control group were the lowest of the test groups.