Chicken farmers in underprivileged communities are battling to contain feed costs while meeting growing consumer demand. An NWU master’s student has been exploring a potentially win-win solution.
Keamogetswe Constance Mokubung recently earned her master's degree in animal science under the guidance of Prof Upenyu Marume. Her research focused on the effects of incorporating fulvic acid into broiler diets in place of antibiotic growth promotants, specifically examining its potential impact on growth performance, health and meat quality.
Fulvic acid is a chemical compound that originates from the decomposition of plant matter by soil microorganisms over extended periods. This natural process, often spanning centuries, results in the presence of fulvic acid in clay, sand, mountain rocks and mud. Its inclusion in broiler diets has been associated with enhanced animal performance, specifically in terms of promoting growth, immunity and feed efficiency, while concurrently reducing the incidence of infections. However, a comprehensive evaluation of its effects on broilers had not previously been conducted.
Keamogetswe has contributed to filling this gap by conducting an extensive study on the impact of fulvic acid on broiler diets. "The imperative for this investigation stemmed from a curiosity surrounding fulvic acid, a prevalent component in animal feed, yet its potential effects on broilers had not been thoroughly explored," she says.
Research findings show potential
The results of this study demonstrate that the experimental diets supplemented with fulvic acids at 0,03% improved growth performance, nutritional status and general health in broilers. Furthermore, the study found that the inclusion of fulvic acids in their diet did not adversely affect the welfare of the birds, as measured by the latency to lie, feather and gait scoring tests.
Broilers fed the control diet exhibited the highest standing persistence followed by those fed fulvic acid diets.
Generally, the inclusion of fulvic acid in diets improved meat quality of the broilers. In particular, this led to an increase in total polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial impact on human health.
These benefits do not come at the cost of nutrient utilisation efficiency and the health status of the animals but rather had the same effects as conventional growth promotants such as antibiotics.
This could be good news both for chicken farmers and consumers alike, says Keamogetswe.
Including fulvic acid in broiler diets represents a sustainable, cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly way of providing high-quality and naturally produced meat and meat by products.
Based on her study findings, small-scale and commercial farmers can use fulvic acid as a natural feed additive. It can be safely administered at 0,03%, with significant improvement in broiler performance, health status, meat quality and bone development.
Keamogetswe Constance Mokubung.
