Effect of biotin as a feed additive on the growth of broiler

Results of experiments showed that feed consumption was influenced significantly (P less than 0.01) with biotin supplementation as feed additive in broiler ration at different levels. The average feed intake was 4285, 4530, 4671 and 4688 g/bird in groups A, B, C and D where the biotin was used as feed additive at the rates of 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 mg/kg feed, respectively. Feed consumption was significantly greater (4688 g/bird) in group D, while birds in group C and B consumed 4671 and 4530 g of feed per bird, respectively. However, the minimum feed consumption (4285 g/bird) was observed in group A (control). Water intake increased significantly (P less than 0.01) with increase in biotin supplementation. Mean water intake was 7615, 7742, 7895 and 8039-/bird in groups A, B, C and D. Water intake was significantly greater (8039 g/bird) in group D, while birds in group C and B consumed 7895 and 7742 g of water per bird, respectively. However , the minimum water intake (7615 g/bird) was observed in group A (control). Weight gain was increased gradually with increase in biotin supplementation as feed additive in broiler ration at different levels. Mean weight gain was 2025.80, 2130.10, 2220.00 and 2350.40 g/bird in groups A, B, C and D. Weight gain was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater (2350.40 g/bird) in group D. Feed conversion ratio improved significantly under higher biotin supplementation levels. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (P less than 0.01) superior (1.994) in group D, while birds in group C and A recorded 2.104 and 2.115 feed conversion ratio, respectively. Relatively poor feed conversion ratio (2.127) was recorded in group B where the broilers were fed on ration added biotin at the rate of 0.25 mg/kg feed. Carcass weight was increased significantly with increase in biotin as feed additive in broiler ration at different levels. Carcass weight was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher (1 512.80 g/bird) in group D, while birds in group C and B recorded 1433.90 and 1312.50 g carcass weight per bird, respectively. The lowest carcass weight (1228.30 g/bird) was recorded in group A (control). The weight of heart, gizzard and liver increased significantly with increase in biotin as feed additive at different levels. Heart weight was 9.50, 9.80, 10.20 and 10.40 g, gizzard weight 33.00, 34.00, 37.40 and 38.60 g and liver weight 40.30, 42.10, 43.50 and 43.80 g in groups A, B, C and D. Significantly maximum heart, gizzard and liver weight was recorded in broilers of group D, followed by group C. The RBC was affected significantly, while non-significant effect on WBC and PCV were recorded due to supplementation dietary biotin in broiler ration at different levels. The values for blood examination were within the normal range and hence no adverse effect of biotin even at higher level. The economics of the project showed that in groups A, B, C and D, the total income incl uding all sorts of receipts from the project was Rs.85.88, Rs.90.18, Rs.93.87 and Rs.99.20 against the total face, the net profit in groups A, B, C and D achieved Rs.10.24, Rs.11.62, Rs.13.52 and Rs.18.43, respectively. Thus, the highest biotin level of 0.30 mg/kg feed proved to more efficient in gaining broiler weight and generating highest net returns. There was no adverse effect of biotin used as feed additive at increasing levels and the mortality occurred was assumed to be incidental or natural.