Effects of Different Forms of Cattle Colostrum for Broiler Chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different forms of cattle colostrum as fresh, frozen, and sour on performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, immunity, and antioxidant status of broiler chicks. In this experiment, 240 Ross-308 broiler chicks were used from 1 to 42 days in three experimental periods including: starter (1-10 days), grower (11-24 days) and finisher (25-42 days) in 4 treatments and 5 replicates (12 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Treatments included: 1) control (without using colostrum), 2) 2% of fresh colostrum, 3) 2% of frozen colostrum and 4) 2% of sour colostrum. Colostrum was only added in the first ten days of broiler's rairing period in the diets. Colostrum had significant effects on performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, immunity, and antioxidant status of broiler chicks (P<0.05). In the starter period, the highest daily feed intake was observed with fresh colostrum (P<0.05). Fresh colostrum increased the spleen percentage (P<0.05). Total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins significantly increased by adding fresh colostrum in diet (P<0.05). The blood level of glutathione peroxidase increased in broilers fed colostrum (P<0.05). Adding colostrum upgraded the immunity status of broiler chicks (P<0.05). Intestinal morphology did not change by adding colostrum (P>0.05). The overall results showed that using 2% of colostrum in the starter period, especially fresh form has beneficial effects on broiler performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, immunity, and antioxidant status.