The Effect of Continuous Administration of Drinking Water with Citric Acid on the Performance, Giblets and Internal Organs of KUB Chickens (2–8 Weeks of Age)
The Effect of Continuous Administration of Drinking Water with Citric Acid on the Performance, Giblets and Internal Organs of KUB Chickens (2–8 Weeks of Age)
Dian Septinova*, Ridwan, Tiara Arnenda, Mita Dewita Sari, Riyanti Riyanti, Madi Hartono
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the effect of continuous administration of citric acid (CA) as an acidifier in drinking water on the performance and internal organs of KUB chickens aged 2–8 weeks. A total of 200 KUB chickens were randomly divided into four groups: 0% (T0), 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), and 1.5% (T3) CA. Results indicated that in the 2nd week, CA administration significantly decreased (P < 0.05) drinking water consumption, feed intake, body weight gain (BWG), and overall body weight of the chickens. In the 3rd week, water intake and body weight continued to decrease, while feed consumption decreased significantly only in the T3 group (P < 0.05). Body weight reduction persisted (P < 0.05) only through the 4th week. Notably, T1 chickens exhibited the highest feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) by the 7th week. CA had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the weights of the gizzard, liver, heart, spleen, and gallbladder. In conclusion, the continuous administration of an acidifier up to 1.5% in drinking water significantly decreased the performance of KUB chickens during the 2nd and 3rd weeks. However, from the 4th to the 8th week, the performance of the chickens tended to improve. Additionally, the use of an acidifier did not negatively impact the weight of giblets or internal organs. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the administration of acidifiers in KUB chickens begin in the 4th week, rather than earlier.
Keywords | Citric acid, Performance, Giblets, Visceral organs, KUB chicken
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