The Effect of Feed Supplemented with Different Sodium Bentonite Treatments on Broiler Performance

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of rations containing different sodium bentonite treatments on broiler performance. The study included 280 broiler chicks (1-day-old) that were randomly allocated to 7 experimental groups designated as follows: A (control); B and C (0.5% and 1.0% sodium bentonite, respectively); D and E (0.5% and 1.0% sodium bentonite + 0.5% and 1.0% gentian violet, respectively); F and G (0.5% and 1.0% sodium bentonite + 0.5% and 1.0% acetic acid, respectively). The experimental diets were given to the broilers for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment (day 42), weight gain, feed intake, feed conversation ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and protein digestibility were calculated. This study showed that birds fed diets containing sodium bentonite treated with either 0.5% or 1.0% acetic acid had significantly increased (P < 0.05) weight gain, feed consumption, protein efficiency ratio, and protein digestibility, as compared to the control and other experimental groups.