Effects of dietary vitamin C addition on the performance of broilers in a hot, humid environment

• Published in: Ghana journal of agricultural science
• Main Authors: Osei, S.A., Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Hagan, J.A., Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Donkoh, A., Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Atuahene, C.C., Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: ACIDE ASCORBIQUE; ACIDO ASCORBICO; ASCORBIC ACID; BROILER CHICKENS; CLIMA HUMEDO; CLIMAT HUMIDE; CONTROLE DE PERFORMANCE; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_24061; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_3686; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5274; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_661; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_9435; HUMID CLIMATE; NUTRIENTES; NUTRIENTS; PERFORMANCE TESTING; POLLO DE ENGORDE; POULET DE CHAIR; PRUEBAS DE RENDIMIENTO; SUBSTANCE NUTRITIVE
• ISSN: 0855-0042
• DOI: 10.4314/gjas.v31i1.1954

In an experiment lasting 7 weeks; 288 one-day-old unsexed broiler chicks were used to assess the effect of supplementary vitamin C on the performance' and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks raised in a hot, humid environment. The birds were randomly alloted in equal numbers to four dietary treatments based on maize and fishmeal to which were added 0, 100, 150 or 200 mg vitamin C per kilogram, respectively. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous, containing 12.51 MJ (ME) and 212.4 g crude protein per kg. Each treatment had three replicates. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Supplementary vitamin C had no significant effect on all the performance and carcass traits studied, including feed intake, growth rate, and feed conversion efficiency. No economic advantage was gained by adding vitamin C to broiler feed