Rare Earth as a Feed Additive for Broiler Growth

In order to study the effect of feeding rare earth(RE) on growth of broiler chicks, feed conversion ratio, and probable harmfulness of feeding high levels of RE, two feeding trials with broiler chicks were conducted; one using a commercial broiler compound feed and the other using a self mixed feed excluding any growth stimulating feed additives. The the first trial used three hundred sixty of one day old Cobb broiler chicks for six levels of dietary supplementation of RE : 0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,600 mg/kg. There were significant effect of RE stimulating broiler chick growth and improving feed conversion ratio, The dietary supplementation of RE at a level of 100 mg/kg was the best of all and increased body weight gain by 8.9% (p. These results suggested that the proper level of RE for broiler chicks would be 50 to 100 mg/kg and its effectiveness is varied depending upon RE mixture. There appears abdominal fat of broiler chicks is decreased by feeding RE but further investigation is in need.