Abstract:
Objective: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of addition of Raw (R) and Treated (T) calcium bentonite (CaB) on
growth, digesta characteristics, blood profiles and meat fatty acid of broiler chicks. Methodology: Two hundred and fifty, 1 day-old male
Hubbard ISA broilers were allocated to 5 groups, reared for 50 days, designated as follows: Soy-corn based diet without addition of
bentonite as control group (C), 2% CaBR, 5% CaBR, 2% CaBT and 5% CaBT. Results: Among the groups treated with bentonite, the
CaBR 2% showed the best growth performance. The digesta moisture decreased (81-73%) when the bentonite rate increased from 2-5%
of CaB at raw and treated form, which the intestinal viscosity passed of 1.76-2.12 (cP). The serum level of triglycerides, total cholesterol,
cholesterol HDL, calcium and sodium were significantly increased in bentonite groups. The bentonite supplementations have increased
the intramuscular lipid from 4.04 in control to 5.41% in CaBR group. Saturated fatty acids of chickʼs meat were similar between the
different groups. Among fatty acids, the oleic acid has been the predominant, with a significantly higher content in CaBR groups. The
linolenic acid was negatively affected by 2% of bentonite treatment. However, at 5% of bentonite, the linoleic acid was higher compared
to the control. Conclusion: This experiment suggest that the addition 2% of raw calcium bentonite in broiler diets has the best beneficial
effects on the growth performance and carcass parameters, but the meat fatty acid composition is improved by 5% bentonite.
