The use of zeolite in low protein diet added with critical amino acids to reduce pollution

Abstract

The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the effects of zeolite addition to 17%- and low (14%) protein diets added with critical amino acids on fecal ammonia emission and house flies (Musca domestica) larvae populations. Ninety layers of Lohmann brown strain at 50 weeks of age were randomly divided into 6 dietary treatment groups of 5 birds with 3 replications. Six dietary treatments were as follows: R1 (17% crude protein or CP, without zeolite addition), R2 (17% CP with 2% zeolite addition), R3 (17% CP with 4% zeolite addition), R4 (14% CP + Lys, Met, Thr, Trp without zeolite addition), R5 (14% CP + Lys, Met, Thr, Trp with 2% zeolite addition), R6 (14% CP + Lys, Met, Thr, Trp with 4% zeolite addition). Parameters observed were moisture content, fecal ammonia emission, populations of house flies larvae, and dynamic population of house flies. Data were analyzed by 2 x 3 factorial (2 dietary protein x 3 zeolite levels) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. The result of the experiment showed that 17% CP dietary and 14% CP dietary with critical amino acids addition had effects (P<0,01) on moisture content (73,46% and 73,12%), fecal ammonia emission (4,241 mg/100ml and 3,749 mg/100ml), and populations of house flies larvae (398 and 281 birds). It is concluded that the use of zeolite at the rate of 2 and 4% in 14% CP diet with critical amino acids addition can reduce moisture content (72,89% and 70,53%), fecal ammonia emission (3,469 mg/100ml and 3,312 mg/100ml), and population of house fly larvae (258 and 183 birds).