Effects of feed restriction and ascorbic acid supplementation on serum biochemical composition of Marshall broiler chickens

Abstract 252 two-week old Marshall broiler chickens were used in a 4 x 3 factorial experiment to determine the effects of feed restriction and ascorbic acid supplementation on serum biochemical composition. The birds were distributed after balancing for live weights into 12 treatments with 3 replicates of 7 birds each, subjected to four feed restriction levels: full feeding (AD), skip a day feeding (S1D), skip two days feeding (S2D) and skip three days feeding every week (S3D) for 24 hours from 15th to 35th day of age and three levels of ascorbic acid supplementation (0, 150, 300 mg/kg feed). Feed was provided ad libitum to all the birds from 36 to 56 days of age. Birds on S2D fed diets containing 300 mg/kg ascorbic acid had the highest (p<0.05) serum glucose, total protein and albumin during feed restriction. Serum glucose and cholesterol was lowest (p<0.05) in birds on S2D fed diets containing 300 mg/kg ascorbic acid during realimentation. Dietary ascorbic acid supplementation at 300 mg/kg elicited positive effects on the serum biochemical composition of Marshall broiler chickens on skip two days feeding every week.