Impact of utilizing refined glycerol as an energy source on broiler performance and meat quality

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of using refined glycerol as an energy source in a broiler diet on productive performance and meat quality. The 2,000, one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allotted into four dietary treatments for 35 days. The chicks were fed the basal diet of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% refined glycerol. Each treatment was composed of 10 replicates with 50 birds per replicate (25 males and 25 females). The results revealed that using 5% refined glycerol in the broiler diet did not affect growth performance, but the addition of 7.5% refined glycerol negatively affected feed intake, weight gain, and performance index. However, using up to 7.5% refined glycerol in the diet did not affect the carcass traits and meat quality. Therefore, refined glycerol is suitable for use as an energy source and can be used up to 5% in the diet without adverse effects on growth performance and up to 7.5% with no effect on carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chickens.