The effects of organic acids on broiler chicken nutrition

The ban on the use of antibiotics in farm animal production has led to the emergence of alternative approaches, including the use of various organic acids, prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, essential oils, bacteriophages, eubiotics, and phytogenic feed additives.

The term “organic acids”, commonly known as “acidifiers”, refers to a broad spectrum of chemical compounds frequently found in nature as typical components of plants, animal tissues, and microbes, and are used in essential physiological processes and functions of the body.

Common pathogenic bacteria that negatively affect the gastrointestinal health of broilers include Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Campylobacter, and Clostridium perfringens. The proliferation of these bacteria can be effectively controlled by incorporating organic acids into the birds’ feed or drinking water.

Several studies have indicated that dietary organic acids promote feed intake and growth performance by inhibiting the development and multiplication of pathogenic microbes, while simultaneously supporting beneficial microorganisms in the gastrointestinal system.

• Providing broiler chickens with a 0.06% mixture of propionic and acetic acid in their drinking water reduced the presence of Salmonella and E. coli in the intestine compared to the control group.
• The inclusion of 1 g/kg of coated organic acid blend in broiler feed led to a notable reduction in cecal bacterial populations.
• Dietary organic acids improve the beneficial microbial profile in broilers, specifically by increasing Lactobacillus, as observed in several other studies.

• Salgado-Tránsito et al. reported that, compared to the control broiler chickens, those fed 6.25, 12.5, 25, or 50g of citric acid per kg of feed from days 1 to 28 showed better feed conversion and higher live weight.
• When compared to the other groups, broiler chickens fed 30g of acetic acid per kg of feed exhibited the highest daily weight gain, lower feed intake, and better feed conversion.

One of the main points of success in using organic acids is their impact on histomorphological indicators of the intestine, such as:

• Villus height,

• Muscle layer thickness,

• Crypt depth,

• Villus surface area.

These changes in intestinal structure contribute to improved nutrient absorption, better gut health, and enhanced overall performance in broiler chickens.

• Rehman et al. reported that dietary supplementation with acetic acid at 10, 20, and 30 g/kg of feed in broiler diets significantly (p<0.05) improved the duodenal villus height, crypt depth, and villus surface area in 49-day-old broiler chickens.
• Adding sodium butyrate at a dosage of 4 g/kg to the feed of broiler chickens resulted in a significant increase in villus length, crypt depth, epithelial thickness, and muscle layer thickness in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of both early and late-stage broilers. Sodium butyrate promotes the proliferation of enterocytes in the intestinal mucosa and villus elongation, contributing to improved gut health and nutrient absorption.

To achieve success in using organic acids in broiler diets, several key points should be considered.

The effectiveness of organic acids can vary significantly based on factors such as the specific acid used, its concentration, the age and health of the birds, and the composition of the diet.

The use of organic acids as a feed additive and antibiotic substitute in broiler nutrition faces a challenge, as some acids have the potential to reduce feed palatability, especially at relatively high concentrations, which could lead to feed refusal. Despite this, organic acids demonstrate efficacy as a viable substitute for growth-promoting antibiotics in broiler chicken nutrition, with generally positive results. However, their use must be responsible and well-planned.