The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate (HBM), added to feed, on selected performance parameters and non-specific defense mechanisms in geese. The experimental material comprised Bilgoraj breeding geese, 40 females and 10 males, randomly assigned to two groups, each consisting of five subgroups (one male and four females), and their offspring, 12 geese (six males and six females) per group. At the peak of the laying season (April), geese of group II were fed a concentrate diet supplemented with HMB at an amount of 10 g per kg in their feed. Goslings were reared to 12-weeks-of-age. During that period all geese were fed a concentrate diet without HMB. The number and weight of eggs, fertilization rate and hatching rate of fertilized eggs were monitored over the experimental period. Males and females were weighed individually during the period of gosling growth. Selected biochemical parameters (levels of total protein and gamma globulins, and serum activity of ceruloplasmin) and non-specific defense mechanisms (lysozyme activity, transformation of lymphocytes into blastic forms - TB, and killing of intracellular germs by peripheral neutrophils - NBT) were determined three times in adults and once in offspring. Results of immunological analyses show that HMB added to feed had a significant effect on the metabolic activity of phagocytes and the proliferative response of lymphocytes. HMB administered per os activated non-specific humoral defense mechanisms in males, females and offspring. The laying rate, fertilization rate and hatchability were also positively affected by HMB.
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