Apparent nutrient digestibility, gut pH and digesta viscosity of broiler chickens fed acidified water

Abstract

Provision of both quality and adequate feed to broiler chickens is essential for optimum performance. Quality feed is one which supplies all the nutrients required for productivity while adequate feeding means provision of the daily feed requirement free choice.1 Earlier reports indicated that access to quality feed and attainment of daily requirement has been suggested to be better ways to achieve faster growth in broiler chickens.2,3 But the quality and quantity of feed cannot guarantee optimum productivity if the feed so supplied is not well utilized by the animal.4 The breakdown of each macro nutrient (starch, protein, fats and oils) of the feed into their respective micro forms (glucose, amino acids and fatty acids absorbable by the chicken is important. This process is known as digestion which is measured as digestibility.