Effects of purified glycerin in balanced diets of chicken broilers treated from 22 to 42 days of age 1 Glicerina purificada em dietas balanceadas para frangos de corte dos 22 aos 42 dias de idade

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of including purified glycerin in the diets of broilers from 22 to 42 days of age. Eighty Cobb 500® lineage broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design (CRD) to one of four treatment groups (0, 2, 4 and 6% of purified glycerin inclusion in feed) and five replicates of four birds. The birds were evaluated for performance (weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion); carcass yield; special cuts yield (thigh, drumstick and breast); muscle colour (L* = lightness, a* = redness, b* = yellowness); and crude protein, ether extract and moisture content of the breast muscle. Inclusion of purified glycerin in the diet did not affect (p > 0.05) any of the growth performance indicators, which demonstrated the technical feasibility of including up to 6% glycerin in the diet. Similarly, there was no effect on carcass yield; special-cut yields; muscle colour (L* = lightness, a* = redness, b* = yellowness); or crude protein, ether extract and moisture content of breast muscle. The inclusion of purified glycerin at up to 6% in the diet proved to be feasible in broilers treated from 22 to 42 days of age.