Effects of different levels of natural glauconite and zeolite on performance, tibia bone characteristics and blood parameters of broiler chicken

An experiment with 300 one-day old Ross male broiler chicks was conducted to determine the effects of glauconite and zeolite on the broiler's performance, tibia bone and blood characteristics. Five experimental treatments [control, glauconite (2 & 4 percent), and zeolite (2 & 4 percent)] were used in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates. During the experiment weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured periodically. At 42 days of age, one chick per replicate was slaughtered to determine calcium and phosphorus of blood serum and tibia bone parameters. Analysis of variance and separation of means by Duncan's multiple range tests were conducted by SAS software. The results indicated that by adding 4% zeolite to diet, weight gain was increased in starter, grower and total rearing period (P<0.05). In comparison with other treatments, feed consumption at 0-42 days of age was increased significantly (P<0.05) in 4% zeolite treatment except 4% glauconite group. There were no significant differences in FCR among treatments (P>0.05). Also, adding 4% zeolite led to significantly (P<0.05) increase in tibia bone volume compared to 2% zeolite group but experimental diets had not significant effect on tibia bone relative weight, length and density (P>0.05). Supplementation of diets with glauconite and zeolite did not have effect on serum Ca and P content at the end of experiment (P>0.05)