Effects of feeding methods (feed vs. water) of vitamin E on growth performance and meat quality of broilers

This research was conducted to compare the effects of vitamin E (VE) when supplemented in either feed or water on the performance and meat quality of broilers. For a six-week feeding trial, a total of 330 broiler chicks were allotted to five treatments. The treatments were 1) 0 ppm VE, 2) 10 ppm VE in feed, 3) 20 ppm VE in feed, 4) 5 ppm VE in water and 5) 10 ppm VE in water. During the starter phase (0-3 weeks) chicks on non-supplemented groups grew slower (p<0.05) than the supplemented ones and the same trend was followed during the finisher (4-6 weeks) and overall period (0-6 weeks). The feed intake was significantly higher in feed supplemented groups as compared with water-supplemented groups and at higher levels as compared with lower levels of supplementation. The nutrient digestibility studies conducted after 15 and 35 days on the feeding trial showed that the digestibility of all nutrients was significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented groups than the non-supplemented one. The dressing percentage was higher in supplemented groups, when fed in feed and at higher levels when compared with their respective counterparts. Similar trends were noticed with respect to bone resistance. The calcium and phosphorus contents in tibia were also significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented, feed fed groups at higher levels than other groups. The TBARS values measured after 5 and 10 days of storage, which reflect the degree of oxidation, showed significantly lower levels in supplemented diets. The plasma and muscle vitamin E levels also showed a positive linear correlation with the levels supplemented both in feed and water. Overall it can be inferred that supplementation of VE was beneficial and there was not much difference observed when fed either in feed or water at the levels measured in the present study.