Effect of Chlorine Dioxide (Dutrion®) on Growth
Performance, gut Histomorphology and Pathogenic Microbial Count of
Meat type Birds
A Sultan1, M Bilal1, S Khan1* and ZU
Hassan2
1Department of Poultry
Science; 2Department of Animal Health, The University of
Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan;
*Corresponding author:
dr.zaminaup@gmail.com
Abstract
The potential benefits of a water acidifying
agent chlorine dioxide (Dutrion®) were investigated on the production
performance, ileal intestinal microflora and gut histo-morphology at day-28.One hundred and sixty, day-old, Cobb-500 male broiler birds were randomly
assigned to four treatments i.e. DW-0, DW-0.3, DW-0.4 and DW-0.5 that were
replicated (n=4) with 10 birds/replicate. Birds in all groups were reared on
floor pens in an open sided house and had ad libitum access to feed and
water. DW-0 served as control and to DW-0.3, DW-0.4 and DW-0.5 was given 0.3,
0.4 and 0.5 ppm of chlorine dioxide in drinking water, respectively. Lower ileum
tissue and digesta samples were collected and performance variables were noted.
Chlorine dioxide significantly (P<0.05) reduced E. coli and Salmonella
count on day 21st and 28th. It was revealed that gut
histomorphology, villus height (920.03 μm) and goblet cell count per unit
(80.25) of birds in group DW-0.5 was significantly improved. Feed and water
intake was not significantly altered however, body weight gain and FCR
significantly improved with increasing level of Dutrion®. Carcass
(70.39%) and liver (6.08%) yield showed a significant increase in birds of group
DW-0.5. No difference (P>0.05) was seen in relative liver and gizzard weight (%)
among different treatments. It can be concluded from present findings that
addition of chlorine dioxide (Dutrion®) can serve as an effective
tool to improve broiler performance by reducing the load of harmful pathogens
and improving gut health of birds.
Key words:
Broilers,
Chlorine dioxide,
Gut histomorphology,
Intestinal microflora, Performance