Effects of early dietary inclusion of untreated or extruded Chlorella vulgaris, with pancreatin supplementation of the extruded biomass, on broiler performance and meat quality

This study evaluated the effects of early dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris, either untreated or extruded and with or without pancreatin supplementation, on growth performance, carcass traits, gastrointestinal responses, and meat quality in broilers. A total of 120 male Ross 308 broilers were assigned from day 7 to day 35 of age to one of four dietary treatments (10 pens per treatment, 3 birds per pen): a maize-soybean meal control diet (CTR), a diet containing 15% C. vulgaris (CV), a diet containing 15% extruded C. vulgaris (CVEX), and the CVEX diet supplemented with 0.30% pancreatin (CVEXEN). Final body weights, overall feed conversion ratios, and digesta viscosity were not affected by dietary treatment. Average feed intake was lower in birds fed CV than in those fed CVEXEN, whereas all microalgae-based diets increased carcass yields relative to the control. Visual assessment indicated higher beak feed adhesion and poorer excreta consistency in birds fed microalgae-containing diets. Concerning meat quality, microalgae inclusion increased breast meat yellowness and markedly improved oxidative stability. In addition, the fatty acid profile of breast and thigh meat was modified, particularly by reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio. Overall, C. vulgaris, even without pre-treatment, can be included at 15% in broiler diets from 7 days of age without impairing overall growth performance, while improving carcass yield and selected meat quality traits. However, the effects on external condition indicators and meat colour warrant further evaluation under practical production conditions.