To examine the influence of anti-stressor and immunizer on the growth of broiler chickens, their meat yield features, and immune response, a total of 360 Cobb-500 day-old commercial broiler chicks were used in a 35-day feeding trial. Experimental birds were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments having six replications each of 20 birds. During the starter and grower periods, corn-soya-based plant protein mash diets were provided. Starter and grower diets were provided in two phases: day-old to 21 days and 22-35 days, respectively. The first group of chicks was treated as control (diet 1), the second group was offered a control diet supplemented with an anti-stressor (diet 2) and the third group received a control diet to which an immunizer was incorporated (diet 3). Growth performance data were recorded weekly. Meat yield traits were determined and blood samples were collected on termination of the experiment. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that significantly higher body weight and lowest FCR values were found in the anti-stressor incorporated group (P
Key words: Broiler, Additives, Performance, Meat yield, Immunity
|