The effect of zeolite on broiler performance

Abstract

Zeolites are crystalline alumino-silicates with fully cross-linked open framework structures made up of corner-sharing SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedral (Karapinar, 1998). It has been reported (Hatieganu et al., 1979) that the addition of zeolites to broiler feeds at the rates of 5 to 9% improved growth rate by 9 to 12% and feed conversion rate (FCR) by 12%. Dietary zeolite supplementation has also been reported (Edwards, 1988) to cause a reduction in the incidence and score of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), which is a developmental disorder in broiler chickens, characterized by the formation of a lesion composed of noncalcified - nonvascularized cartilage, that can extend from the epiphyseal growth plate into the metaphysis (Cook, 2000). This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the dietary zeolite supplementation in broiler diets on their performance, small intestine weight, litter moisture, bone ash and tibial dyschondroplasia.