Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Cu-sulfate, Cu-methionine chelate (Cu-Met) and Cu-soy proteinate (Cu-SP) on the performance, blood parameters and mineral contents of muscle. It was conducted with a total of 1,000 one d old broilers chickens (Ross ) which were assigned to four dietary treatments; Control, Cu sulfate (200 ppm Cu as CuSO4 5H2O), Cu-Met (200 ppm Cu as Cu-methionine chelate), Cu-SP (200 ppm Cu as Cu-soy proteinate). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in weight gain. Weight gain of Cu treated groups were higher than the control during 3 5 wk. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed intake during 0 3 wk. Cu-Met was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control but the differences among Cu treatments were not significant. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed conversion rate (FCR). Cu treated groups were lower than the control during the whole period. Production efficiency factor (PEF) was significantly higher (p<0.01) in Cu treated groups than the control. Nutrient availabilities of diets were not significantly different among the treatments. The count of white blood cell (WBC) and eosinophil (EO) were lower in Cu-SP treatment than in the control. Copper concentration in the liver was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Cu treated groups than the control. Zinc concentration in the breast and wing muscle was lower in Cu treated and that of leg muscle was higher in Cu-Met than the control. The result of this experiment showed that Cu supplementation at the level of 200 ppm as Cu sulfate, Cu-Met and Cu-SP improves weight gain (4 5 wk), FCR and PEF. Differences among Cu sources were not significant.

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