Application progress of drinking water acidifier in broiler production
1. Improve growth performance
Drinking water acidifiers can improve the survival rate, daily weight gain and feed conversion rate of poultry, reduce feed-to-meat ratio, and reduce the mortality rate of breeder chickens, thereby promoting the healthy growth of poultry. Liu Changmu et al. found that adding 0.1% and 0.15% liquid acid to drinking water can significantly increase the survival rate of white-feathered broilers by 2.27% and 3.04%, and significantly reduce the damage to the foot pads of white-feathered broilers by more than 25%. Previous studies have found that adding acidifiers (formic acid, propionic acid and ammonium formate; formic acid, acetic acid and ammonium formate) to drinking water can improve the weight and daily weight gain of broilers, and can improve feed conversion rate. Zhang Yongsheng et al. added 0.1% compound acid (mainly citric acid, malic acid, formic acid, and propionic acid) to the drinking water of broiler breeders, which reduced the mortality rate of breeder chickens. After Li Heming et al. added acidifiers (organic complex acid + astragalus polysaccharide) to drinking water, the weight of breeder chicks at 14 and 49 days of age was significantly higher than that of the antibiotic group, and the mortality rate and the positive rate of chicken typhoid plate agglutination test (antibody) of the breeder chicks were not significantly different from those of the antibiotic group.
2. Improve the utilization rate of nutrients
Acidifiers that enter the stomach can reduce the pH value in the stomach, activate pepsinogen, and increase the activity of pepsin, thereby promoting the digestion and utilization of protein. Secondly, acidifiers can also slow down the rate of gastric emptying, prolong the residence time of feed in the stomach, and make the decomposition of nutrients more thorough. Li Jun et al.’s research showed that 0.1% to 0.3% of composite acidifiers (mainly phosphoric acid and lactic acid) have a good acidification effect and improve the apparent digestibility of dietary protein, energy, calcium and phosphorus in AA broilers at all growth stages. Guo Zhiyou et al. found that the addition of 0.1% drinking water acidifier (mainly formic acid, ammonium formate, acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid and citric acid) increased the enzymatic activity of broiler glandular pepsin by 28.84%, the enzymatic activity of myopepsin by 56.41%, the enzymatic activity of duodenal protease by 12.08%, and the enzymatic activity of jejunal protease by 10.21%. Han et al. found that drinking water acidifiers (formic acid, ammonium formate, acetic acid) can reduce the pH value of the upper digestive tract of broilers, increase the activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the intestine of broilers, and increase the utilization rate of nutrients.
3. Maintain intestinal health
The intestinal tract of poultry contains a large number of microbial flora, among which the number of Escherichia coli and Salmonella can reflect the intestinal environment of broilers. Lactobacillus is one of the most important beneficial bacteria in the intestine. Normal intestinal flora is of great significance to the health of broilers. Gao Xulong’s research shows that drinking water acidifiers (formic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, citric acid) can significantly increase the number of lactic acid bacteria in the feces of 42-day-old broilers and significantly reduce the number of Escherichia coli; drinking water acidifiers with formic acid and acetic acid can significantly reduce the number of Salmonella in the feces of 42-day-old broilers. Guo Yujun et al.’s research shows that drinking water acidifiers can reduce the acidity of drinking water and inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus, thereby improving the microbial flora of broiler intestines. Guo et al.’s research shows that drinking water acidifiers can promote the development of broiler intestines and the structure of intestinal flora.
4. Improve immunity
Studies by many scholars have shown that drinking water acidifiers can increase the weight of lymphatic organs, reduce intestinal inflammation, and improve the immune organ index of broilers, thereby improving the immunity of broilers. Guo Yujun et al.’s research shows that adding composite acidifiers to drinking water can reduce the level of pro-inflammatory factors in the intestine and serum, reduce inflammation in the body, and thus improve the immune function of broilers. Gao Xulong et al.’s research results found that composite liquid acidifiers (formic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, citric acid) can significantly reduce the content of IL-1 and IL-6 in broiler serum, and increase the content of IL-10, IgA and IgG, indicating that adding acidifiers can enhance the immunity of broilers. Ge Zhongdong et al.’s research found that the titer of Newcastle disease antibodies in chickens using drinking water acidifiers was 1.58 titers higher than that of the control group on average, with a significant difference. The main reason is that the organic acids in them can promote the development of the body’s immune organs, improve the immune organ index, and improve the specific resistance of broilers.
