TY - JOUR T1 - Effects of Graded Levels of an Acidifier in Drinking Water on Performance, Intestinal Microflora and Morphology of Broiler Chickens TT - اثرات سطوح افزایشی اسیدیفایر در آب آشامیدنی بر عملکرد رشد، جمعیت میکروبی و ریخت شناسی روده کوچک جوجه های گوشتی JF - rap JO - rap VL - 13 IS - 35 UR - http://rap.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-1175-en.html Y1 - 2022 SP - 40 EP - 50 KW - Acidifier KW - Broiler KW - Growth performance KW - Immune response KW - Intestinal morphology KW - Intestinal microbiota N2 - Extended Abstract Introduction and Objective: Organic acids are one of the alternatives to antibiotics growth promotor which have beneficial effects on animal performance and gastrointestinal microbial population. In general, addition of organic acids into the feed lowers pH of the feed and gastrointestinal tract, stimulates growth, helps beneficial bacteria to overcome pathogenic bacteria, and reduces toxic metabolites produced by harmful bacteria. Material and Methods: A total of 240 day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were divided into 4 treatments, 4 replicates, and 15 broiler chickens per replicate in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments were included 0, 200, 300 and 500 mL of acidifier in 1000 L drinking water. Results: Feed conversion ratio in broilers that received two levels of 200 and 500 mL of acidifier per 1000 liters in drinking water decreased compared to the control treatment (p<0.01). European efficiency index was higher in the whole acidifier levels than the control and a linear increasing trend was observed (p<0.05). Broilers received 500 mL of acidifier in water had the lowest FCR (1.64 vs. 1.80; p<0.01) and the highest EEF (394 vs. 332; p<0.01) compared with the control. The weight of bursa of Fabricius, spleen and pancreas in broilers received graded levels of acidifier was higher than the control (p<0.05). The pH of the proventriculus, duodenum and jejunum of broilers that received 500 mL of acidifier decreased compared to the control (p<0.05). Administration of graded levels of acidifier in drinking water had no effect on Lactobacillus, coliforms and Escherichia coli count in ileum (p>0.05). The thickness of the lamina propria layer increased in broilers received 300 mL of acidifier (p<0.05). Administration of acidifier in drinking water had no effect on antibody titer against SRBC and Newcastle. Conclusions: The results indicate that adding 500 mL of acidifier in 1000 L drinking water improves growth performance by increasing the weight of digestive organs such as pancreas and acidifying the initial areas of the digestive tract. M3 10.52547/rap.13.35.40 ER -