S. ARNOUTS, M. LIPPENS

The effect of lectins in combination with sodium butyrate on the performance of broilers

We tested the effect of 7,5% kidney beans (KB) containing lectins and/or 250g/T sodium butyrate (SB) in broiler diets on average daily growth (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). The trial consisted of five treatments each with two repetitions of 36 animals (Ross 308; male): a control diet (C), KB in the starter diet (1-10 days) or in the grower diet (11-21 days) with or without SB in starter and grower diet (KBS or KBS-SB and KBG or KBG-SB). ADG and FC were determined at 21 and 42 days of age. All birds received feed (meal) and water ad libitum. Results were analysed by ANOVA (Turkey HSD; P<0,05). At 21 days of age body weight (BW21) was reduced in the groups containing lectins from 685g (C) to 648g for KBS and 590g for KBG. BW21 was 663g and 637g for groups KBS-SB and KBG-SB respectively. At 42 days of age, the body weight of C was 2544g and 2440g and 2405g for KBS and KBG respectively. BW42 for KBS-SB and KBG-SB was 2513g and 2460g. The ADFI for the whole trial period of 42 days was reduced for the KBG group when compared to the C group (88,2g for C and 83,2g for KBG), while feed conversion did not differ between both groups. The incorporation of KB thus clearly reduces growth of broilers leading to a final body weight that was 4% lower for KBS and 5% for KBG compared to the C group. This negative effect of KB on growth could be reduced when SB was incorporated in the starter and grower diet at 250g/T. Final body weight of KBS-SB was only 1% lower than in C as compared to the growth reduction of 4% in KBS. The growth reduction of 5% in KBG was reduced to only 3% in KBG-SB. Reduced growth in diets with KB is probably due to a damage in the intestinal wall caused by the lectins. This stress effect could be counteracted by the use of sodium butyrate.

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