Effects of encapsulated butyric acid on general performance, intestinal health, and colonization in organs of poultry infected with Salmonella Enteritidis

ABSTRACT This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of organic acids on the intestinal integrity and productive performance of broiler chickens experimentally inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Additionally, Salmonella colonization levels in internal organs were evaluated. The study included 576 one-day-old CobbTM male broilers, distributed into eight treatment groups and six replicates. A completely randomized experimental design (encapsulated butyric acid × inoculation by Salmonella Enteritidis) was used. Poultry was orally inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis in the first day (0 or 2.0 × 106 CFU/mL) and after 22 days of age (0 or 1.0 × 109 CFU/ mL). The butyric acid was added to the feed in different concentration (treatments 0.03, 0.075, and 0.15%), and the chickens were raised up to 42 days old. Encapsulated butyric acid at 0.03% increased the body weight gain and the average weight of the chickens up to 21 days old. After 14 days old, the butyric acid had a positive effect on jejunum villus. Encapsulated butyric acid at 0.03% in feed improves the performance and intestinal integrity of chickens.