In a study published in Journal of Applied Poultry Research, E. Topal of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and M. Ozdogan from Adnan Menderes University report their evaluation of the effect of various amounts of crude glycerol on the growth performance, internal organ weights and chemical composition of drumstick muscles of broiler chickens.

A total of 360 Ross 308 broiler chicks (day-old) received diets with 0, 40 or 80g of glycerol per kg of diet for 42 days.

Body weight gain was improved (P<0.01) with the inclusion of 40 or 80g of glycerol per kg of diet at 21 days. Broilers fed the diet with 80g of glycerol per kg had the highest (P<0.05) bodyweight gains at 42 days.

These levels of crude glycerol did not statistically affect feed consumption but the inclusion of glycerol improved the feed conversion ratio at 0 to 21 days of age and 0 to 42 days of age (P<0.05).

No negative effect of glycerol inclusion was observed on the carcass yield or the internal organ weights of broilers except for the heart weight of males.

Glycerol inclusion at 40 or 80g per of diet can be used as an effective source of energy in broilers, especially from 0 to 21 days of age, according to the researchers.

They added that inclusion of glycerol significantly decreased ether extract in the drumstick muscles of both males (P<0.05) and females (P<0.01).

Reference

Topal E. and M. Ozdogan. 2013. Effects of glycerol on the growth performance, internal organ weights, and drumstick muscle of broilers. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 22(1):146-151. doi: 10.3382/japr.2012-00589

Further Reading You can view the full report (fee payable) by clicking here.