The Effect of Adding Licorice Extract and Sodium Bicarbonate to Drinking Water on the Productive Performance of Broilers Raised under Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

Abstract The practical aspect of the research was carried out in the field of the Department of Animal Production - College of Agriculture and Forestry - University of Mosul. 200 Arbo Rekar chicks were used in standard breeding from one day old to 56 days old. At the age of 22 days, the chicks were randomly distributed among the study treatments, taking into account the homogeneity of chick weights for the replicates, while exposing all treatments to a gradual periodic temperature of (25-36-25) ±2°C. The design of the experiment included five treatments: the first was a control (without adding a control), the second and the third were licorice extract at a concentration of 800 and 1200 mg/liter of water, respectively, and for the fourth and fifth, sodium bicarbonate was added at a concentration of 0.4% and 0.6% to Drinking water straight. Feed and water were provided freely with Ad Libitum throughout the study period and for all treatments. The results of the statistical analysis showed a significant improvement (p≤0.05) in favor of the fifth treatment in the averages of final live body weight, total weight gain, total relative growth rate and total feed consumption compared to the rest of the treatments. The second and fourth treatments also showed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the mean total weight gain. Also, the fourth treatment was significantly (p≤0.05) superior in the average overall relative growth rate over the rest of the treatments. While the percentage of fatalities decreased significantly in the second, third and fourth treatments compared to the control treatment. While the results did not show any significant differences in the averages of the total feed conversion factor, the productivity index, the percentages of dressing, the mean relative weight of the main and secondary carcass pieces, visceral edible and visceral fat.