This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary Yanggu original white kaolin supplementation onthe growth performances, nutrients utilizability and meat composition of broiler. A total of 260 broiler chicks wasalloted to 5 treatments with 4 replications and 13 chicks per replication. In addition to control group that feddiet without any kaolin supplementation, the treatments are designated by dietary supplementation as follows;white kaolin 400 mesh 1%(T1), white kaolin 10,000 mesh 1%(T2), white kaolin 400 mesh 0.8% + probiotics0.2%(T3) and kaolin rizen(T4).
The specific volume of 10,000 mesh white kaolin was higher than that of 400 mesh white kaolin (p<0.05) withno difference in pH between two different size white kaolins. Pellet durability of kaolins supplemented diet wasimproved, regardless of fat addition, compared to that of no kaolin supplemented diet. Both weight gain andfeed intake of broilers in all the kaolin supplemented treatments were higher than that of control during d 0~21period (p<0.05) but with no differences during d 22~40, On the other hand, kaolin supplementation into thecontrol diet did not affect F/G of young broiler during d 1~21. Overall F/G of broiler was decreased by kaolinsupplementation. Although there was no difference on ether extract, crude ash, total CHO and dry matterutilizabilities among all treatments, both crude protein and energy utilizabilities were improved by kaolinsupplementation. Crude protein content of both broiler thigh and breast was the lowest in the kaolin andprobiotics combined supplemented group(T3).
In conclusion, the supplementation of physico-chemically treated white kaolin does affect growth performances,nutrients utilizability and meat composition of broilers. Therefore, the kaolin can be considered as a beneficialfeed additive to improve broiler productivity.