Effects of a silica-based feed supplement on performance, health, and litter quality of growing turkeys

Poor litter quality is a potential challenge to footpad health as well as the primary cause of ammonia volatilization. High ambient ammonia concentration is one of the most significant factors negatively affecting poultry production today. Some minerals have been reported to reduce ammonia release f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Poultry science 2015-08, Vol.94 (8), p.1902-1908
Main Authors: Tran, S. T., Bowman, M. E., Smith, T. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed - analysis
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Animals
Dermatitis - pathology
Dermatitis - veterinary
Diet - veterinary
Dietary Supplements
Floors and Floorcoverings
Foot Diseases - veterinary
Housing, Animal
Poultry Diseases - pathology
Silicon Dioxide - administration & dosage
Silicon Dioxide - pharmacology
Turkeys - growth & development
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Summary:Poor litter quality is a potential challenge to footpad health as well as the primary cause of ammonia volatilization. High ambient ammonia concentration is one of the most significant factors negatively affecting poultry production today. Some minerals have been reported to reduce ammonia release from poultry litter. Silicon dioxide, a highly pure and natural mineral, shows promise in decreasing ammonia volatilization and improving litter quality. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of feed-borne silicon dioxide on litter quality and how this impacts bird performance, general health and footpad health throughout a 12-wk posthatching turkey study. Supplementing the diet with silicon dioxide was found to significantly improve turkey BW gain and the efficiency of feed conversion. The severity of footpad dermatitis was monitored throughout the experimental period but no significant effect of diet was seen. The feeding of silicon dioxide reduced litter pH which decreased the conversion of NH4 + to NH3 thereby reducing nitrogen losses from litter. It was concluded that, under our study conditions, the feeding of 0.02% silicon dioxide offers potential economic benefits to turkey producers.
ISSN:0032-5791
1525-3171
DOI:10.3382/ps/pev158