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

Abstract EN

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), breast meat (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.