Effects of Substitution of Corn with Dried Orange Pulp on Health and Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

The rising cost of cereal-based ingredients and restrictions on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry have increased demand for sustainable alternatives. Agro-industrial by-products, particularly dried orange pulp (DOP), offer an economical, nutrient-rich solution with bioactive compounds that may improve broiler health and growth. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating different levels of dried orange pulp (Citrus sinensis) on growth performance and blood serum biochemical parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 200 one-day-old Arbor Acres chickens (45 ± 1.7 g) were randomly divided into four dietary groups. Each group consisted of 50 chickens, with five replicates of 10 chickens, and was reared for 49 days. The dietary groups included a control diet without DOP and three experimental diets in which DOP was partially replaced by corn at inclusion levels of 5% (50 g/kg of dry matter [DM]), 10% (100 g/kg of DM), and 15% (150 g/kg of DM). Growth performance was monitored throughout the entire rearing period. Blood samples were collected at 37 and 49 days of age to assess glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Broiler chickens fed DOP-substituted diets generally exhibited lower serum lipid levels, especially triglycerides and total cholesterol, compared to the control group at both sampling times. However, there was a slight increase in triglycerides in the 5% DOP group at 49 days compared to the control group. Glucose concentrations generally increased with higher levels of DOP inclusion, especially at 15%. Regarding growth performance, chickens fed the 5% DOP diet had the highest live weight, whereas those fed the 10% DOP diet demonstrated an improvement in feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. The dietary incorporation of DOP enhanced growth performance and positively influenced serum biochemical profiles in broiler chickens, with the 5% DOP level demonstrating the most significant improvements in performance and productivity parameters, while 10% DOP exerted the most beneficial effects on blood biochemical parameters.