Abstract

A pre-determined level of folic acid supplement (30 mg per litre of drinking water) was fed for varying durations (7, 10 and 14 days) from day-one of age to determine the effect on performance and carcass characteristics of broilers. The objective was to confirm the high levels of abdominal fat pads in previous trials with graded levels of folic acid, to clarify the mechanism underlying adipose tissue growth in broilers. Parameters measured were body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, folic acid intake, mortality and dressed weight, dressing percentage, carcass cuts and internal organs. Data obtained were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences. The outstanding result of this research was on the conformation of the dressed carcasses of the folic acid treated birds, characterized by expanded abdominal regions filled with large mass of abdominal fat pads. There was no difference between the control and the folic acid birds in other parameters measured, except the group on the longest duration of folic acid supplementation, which had higher feed intake. Folic acid intake increased significantly with increase in the duration of administration. It was concluded that, the large mass of abdominal fat pads of the folic acid birds were as a result of cell multiplication (hyperplasia) due to the fact that folate-mediated one-carbon units transfer reactions support rapid proliferation of cells and are important during periods of active cell division. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.