Effect of using biochar as litter on broiler welfare and health

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of biochar used as litter on the welfare and health of broilers. ۲۰۱ day-old broiler chicks of the Cobb ۵۰۰ strain were divided into three experimental groups of ۶۷ chicks each: the Biochar group (litter made up of ۱۰۰% biochar from corn cobs), Mixed group (litter made up of ۵۰% biochar and ۵۰ % corn cobs) and the Corn cobs group (litter made up of ۱۰۰% corn cobs). After ۵۲ days of rearing, a blood sample was taken from the chickens to determine haematological, biochemical parameters and the concentration of the T۳ hormone. On the ۵۶th day, ۱۵ chickens from each batch were slaughtered. The presence of contact dermatitis was assessed by visual examination. The weights of the carcass and various organs were determined. The type of litter induced significant differences (p<۰.۰۵) for contact dermatitis The incidence of foot pad dermatitis was ۰%, ۴۶.۶۷%, ۲۶.۶۷% and that of kock burns was ۰%, ۶.۶۷% and ۰% respectively for Biochar group, Mixed group and Corn cobs group. Significant variations (p<۰.۰۵) were recorded from the relative weights of the lungs. The number of white blood cells was higher (p<۰.۰۵) in the mixed group while no difference was recorded for the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p>۰.۰۵). The biochemical and hormonal parameters were similar whatever the type of litter (p>۰.۰۵). Biochar therefore improves the health status of broilers and does not harm their welfare. The evaluation of the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of the litters would be interesting for the understanding of the observed effects.