Growth, Mineral Deposition, and Physiological Responses of Broiler Chickens Offered Honey in Drinking Water during Hot-Dry Season

Abstract

Growing broilers were offered either 0 (0H), 10 (10H), 20 mL (20H) honey, or 0.5 g vitamin C/litre water (AA) during hot-dry season. Honey had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), water intake (WI), survival (SURV), dressed percentage (DRE), breas tmeat (BRE), gizzard (GIZ), drumstick (DRU), shank (SHA), thigh (THI), tibia volume (VOL), and magnesium (MAG). Effect of honey was significant (P < 0.05) on tibial weight (WEI), density (DEN), calcium (CAL), and phosphorus (PHO). WEI and DEN increased with increasing level of honey. 20H broilers had higher CAL than 0H and 10H groups. Broilers offered honey had significantly lower PHO than AA group but the difference between honey groups was not significant. Honey significantly affected PR (P < 0.001) and HR (P < 0.001) but not RT (P > 0.005). Higher dose of honey lowered PR and HR. Honey significantly (P < 0.05) increased THY but LIV, KID, LUN, SPL, BUR, and HEA were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected. 20H broilers had higher THY than 0H and 10H groups. In conclusion, honey did not affect growth but might improve broilers' welfare when offered up to 20H during hot periods.

Effect of different levels of honey on physiological, growth and carcass traits of broiler chickens during dry season

“…The thymus of heat-stressed chickens not supplemented with Sb-Asper-C was atrophied. The increase in the thymus in the present study supports the findings of Abioja et al (2012) that honey up to 20 ml per liter of water reduces the effect of heat stress on thymus.…”

“…This might be adduced to the improvement in calcium metabolism of the birds. The higher relative weight of the tibiae is concurrent with the findings of Abioja et al (2012) who observed that addition of honey up to 20 ml/l of water for broiler chickens improved tibiae weight. The present study has further validated the fact that a dose higher than 20 ml/l is beneficial to the birds during hot dry season in Nigeria.…”

Laying Performance, Survival Rate, Egg Quality and Shell Characteristics in Laying Pullets Offered Honey in Drinking Water during Hot Season

“…The average temperature recorded during this experiment was 31.5 o C, about 6.5 o C above the upper critical limit. Attaining the optimal range in the open-sided poultry houses commonly used in the tropics is difficult (Abioja et al, 2012). Average temperature-humidity index during the experiment was such that elicited stress responses from the birds.…”

“…Honey contains various vitamins, electrolytes, natural anti-oxidants and phenolic compounds (Blasa et al, 2006) that may help chickens overcome the negative demands imposed by HS. Comprehensive report on the effect of honey in drinking water of broiler chickens was given by Abioja et al (2012). Honey reduced pulse and respiratory rate during heat spell and helped improve calcium metabolism in broiler chickens.…”

“…Whitehead and Keller (2003) in a review alluded to the fact that vitamin C can be beneficial in countering the adverse effects on shell quality. Honey has been shown to improve tibial weight, density, calcium and phosphorus contents in heat-stressed broiler chickens (Abioja et al, 2012). To ensure improvement in egg production and egg shell thickness in laying pullets during hot season, honey can be offered in drinking water.…”