Production parameters, carcass development and blood parameters of the broiler chicks fed diets which include rapeseed, flax, grape and buckthorn meals

A feeding trial was performed on 75, day-old ROSS 308 chicks assigned to 3 groups (C, E1 and E2) to test new feeding solutions for broilers using oil industry by-products. In the starter phase (0-10 days), all chicks received a conventional compound feed. In the other two stages (growing, finishing), compared to the conventional diet given to the C group, the diet formulations of the experimental groups included different proportions, depending on the phase of development, rapeseeds meal and grape pomace (E1) and flaxseeds meal and buckthorn meal (E2). The compound feed for group E2 had significantly (P≤0.05) higher ω-3 PUFA concentrations than groups C and E1. Six blood samples/group were collected in the end of the feeding trial, used for biochemical and haematological determinations. Six chicks/group were slaughtered on day 42, to measure carcass and internal organs development.
The feed intake and gains were monitored throughout the experimental period (10-42 days). At 42 days, E2 broiler chicks had significantly (P≤0.05) lower body weight than C broiler chicks. Serum glycaemia, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly (P≤0.05) lower in E2 chicks than in C chicks, by 17.94 %, 25.70 % and 42.05%, respectively.