Growth performance and carcass quality of Tre chickens raised in different levels of saline water

Abstract

This study aimed to find the effect of saline water on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Tre chickens. A total of 150 Tre chickens was allotted in five treatments and three replicates per treatment. A completely randomized design was used for this study in which the birds from 4-14 weeks old had ad libitum access to feed and water in all treatments with five levels of salt (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8%). The results showed that the growth performance of Tre chicken was decreased when increased levels of salt in drinking water (P<0.05). The birds avoided drinking water from treatment with salt of 0.8% (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio of birds was lowest at the treatment of 0 and 0.2%. Besides, carcass traits (carcass, breast, thigh, and gizzard weight) were decreased significantly when the level of salt in drinking water increased over 0.2% (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between 0-0.2% salt in drinking water (P>0.05). Small intestine weight was longer at control treatment while large intestine was longer at treatment of 0.2% salt. Additionally, all examined criteria were decreased significantly with 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% of salt in drinking water (P<0.05). It can be concluded that Tre chickens’ growth could tolerant the salinity in drinking water up to 0.2%. With over 0.2% salt in drinking water, chicken’s performance might be reduced.