Effect of in feed talc supplementation on broiler performance

Four experiments were performed to study the effects of the addition of 1 or 2% of talc to the diets of broiler chickens compared to an unsupplemented diet and a control diet containing 5 ppm of avilamycin. Both additives improved bird performance, weight gain (W.G.) and feed conversion ratio (F.C.R.) especially when poor performances were observed for the unsupplemented control group. Overall, when all the experiments were computed together, avilamycin significantly improved bird performance (W.G. and F.C.R.) compared to the unsupplemented diet. The effect of talc was positive but lower than avilamycin. No dose effect was observed with talc. Intestinal microflora, tested in the excreta, was decreased by avilamycin but no effect was observed with talc.