Growth response and serum biochemical profiles of broiler chickens fed different sources of biochar supplements

This study evaluated the impact of different biochar sources on the growth performance and serum biochemical profiles of broiler chickens. A total of 120 broilers were used in this experiment. They were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. Treatment 1 served as the control without biochar, while T2, T3, and T4 were supplemented with biochar from mahogany, maize stover, and maize cobs, respectively, at a concentration of 20g/kg of feed. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in CRD. The results showed that broilers in T3 maize Stover biochar (MSB) had the highest body weight gain (BWG) of 3.53 ± 0.155 kg, while the lowest value (2.97 ± 0.06 kg) was recorded in control group (T1). Similarly, T3 (2.32) and T4 (2.87) exhibited the most efficient feed conversion ratios (FCR), which were significantly (p < 0.05) better than the control group (3.10). In serum biochemical indices, the highest high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level of 70.33 ± 1.86 mg/dl was recorded in T3, whereas the lowest value of (35.00 ± 0.58 mg/dl) occurred in T1. For low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the control group (T1) had the value of (56.00 ± 1.15 mg/dl), which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than T2 (22.00 ± 1.15), T3 (27.33 ± 1.76), and T4 (25.67 ± 1.86 mg/dl). Furthermore, T3 (MSB) effectively reduced cholesterol levels from 119 mg/dl in the control group to 88 mg/dl. In conclusion, T3 (MSB) demonstrated the most significant improvements in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and serum biochemical parameters compared to the other biochar sources.