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Review
. 2019 Summer;20(3):167-172.

Humic acid as a feed additive in poultry diets: a review

M Arif  1 , M Alagawany  2 , M E Abd El-Hack  2 , M Saeed  3 , M A Arain  3 , S S Elnesr  4
Affiliations
Review

Humic acid as a feed additive in poultry diets: a review

M Arif et al. Iran J Vet Res. 2019 Summer.

Abstract

Many studies tested different feed additives, among these additives, humic substances (HS) have been used in livestock and poultry diets. Humic substances commonly present in nature as they are created from the organic matter decomposition, and are normally found in the soil and natural water. Active components of HS consist of humic acid (HA), humus, ulmic acid, fulvic acid, humin and certain microelements. Humic acid is widely used as an alternative growth promoter for antibiotics in improving poultry performance and health. Moreover, supplementation of a commercial substance as a source of HS through the drinking water or diet improved the feed consumption, feed efficiency and weight gain of broiler chickens, and also improved egg weight, egg mass, and egg production of laying hens. This review describes the useful applications and recent facets of HA including its modes of action and various valuable uses in improving the production and health safeguarding of livestock and poultry.

Keywords: Growth promoter; Health; Humic acid; Performance; Poultry.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests that could possibly arise.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The average chemical formula of humic acid (C187H186O89N9S1)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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