Meat qualitative composition of broiler chickens and feed digestibility when introducing a new organo-mineral feed additive into the diet as an alternative to antibiotics

The search for alternative approaches to poultry farming aimed at improving the quality of meat and promoting health without the use of antibiotics is a vital task of modern poultry farming. Among the promising areas is the use as an alternative to antibiotics of complex multifunctional feed additives based on prebiotics, organic acids, and mineral components that contribute to the formation of healthy intestinal microflora, increasing the nonspecific resistance of poultry, as well as the quality of meat and productivity. The study is aimed at studying the effect of a new organo-mineral feed additive (OMFA) containing a prebiotic (lactulose), ultrafine silica dioxide particles, organic and amino acids, on the digestibility of nutrients, elemental, and amino acid composition of broiler chicken meat. The inclusion in the diet of a 4-component OMFA from the age of 7 and 15 days has a positive effect on nutrient absorption. An increase in the digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, and nitrogen-free extractives was noted. Early feeding period reduces the digestibility of crude fiber. The use of OMFA leads to an increase in the concentration of certain macro- and microelements in the tissues of broiler chickens, which has a positive effect on the quality of meat. The inclusion of OMFA in the diet is an effective way to optimize protein and fat metabolism, contributing to an increase in muscle mass and a decrease in the percentage of body fat. The ingredients of the feed additive increase the level of amino acids, which favorably affect the properties and nutritional value of broiler meat. When choosing the composition of the additive and the timing of feeding (from the age of 7 and 15 days), it is recommended to use a four-component OMFA for broiler chickens from the age of 15 days.