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Sodium Zeolite A: Influence on Broiler Carcass Yields and Tibia Characteristics

Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Aegean University, Izmir, Turkey

S. F. Bilgili and G. R. McDaniel

Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, AL 36849-5416; Phone: (205) 844-2612; FAX: (205) 844-2641

Correspondence: S. F. Bilgili

This study considered the effect of dietary sodium zeolite A (SZA) on processing yields and tibia characteristics of male and female broilers divergently selected over three generations for high and low incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD). Genetic lines included high and low incidence of TD and an unselected control line. Birds (ten replicate pens/line; thirty-five birds/pen) were fed either a standard diet or SZA-supplemented diet at levels of 0.25% and 0.50% from 1-21, 22-50, and 51-56 days of age, respectively.

After the study, the high TD line had significantly (P<. 01) higher body weight, chilled carcass weight, and carcass part weights than the low TD line. However, the yields (% of live weight) of carcass, thighs, and deboned breast did not differ (P>. 05) among the lines. The SZA effect was significant (P<. 05) for the yield of Pectoralis minor. Significant (P<. 05) interaction between diet and sex indicated improvement only in yields of male broilers fed supplemented SZA. Inclusion of SZA in broiler diets resulted in an increased percent tibia ash (P<. 05), but did not affect the incidence or severity of TD.

Key Words: Carcass yield • dietary sodium zeolite A • tibia ash • tibial dyschondroplasia