Abstract
To investigate the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) on growth performance, feed intake, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of commercial broiler an experiment was conducted. Total 80 Cobb-500 of 07 days old chicks were randomly divided into four dietary groups having four replications in each. Four diets were considered: control (T0); CuSO4.5H2O @ 150 mg/kg of commercial diet (T1); ZnSO4 @100 mg/kg on diet (T2); and combination of CuSO4.5H2O + ZnSO4 @ 150 mg/kg + 100 mg/kg of diet (T3), respectively. Initial live weight, live weight gain and feed intake were recorded. Carcass characteristics were observed after slaughtering of birds. The final live weight was significantly (P<0.05) differed among the experimental groups where highest live weight was recorded in T2 (2440 g/bird) group. Broilers in T2 group showed the best feed efficiency (1.67) that varied significantly (P<0.05). Daily live weight gain was differed significantly (P<0.05) among the experimental groups where highest value at 3rd and 4th weeks of experiment was found in birds of T2 group. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences observed among the dietary treatment groups in terms of de-feathering percentages, liver, heart and abdominal fat weight. On the contrary, significant (P<0.05) difference were observed in carcass weight, where highest value was recorded in T3 group. Thigh and breast weight was also differed significantly (P<0.05) in T3 group compared to control and other groups. Use of copper sulfate pentahydrate in diet was economic in terms of cost benefit analysis.
 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(3): 465-474, December 2020
Highlights
Agricultural farming system in Bangladesh a day‟s largely depends on poultry sectors and broiler is one of the major harvest of poultry farming
Copper sulfate and zinc sulfate can be used as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoter
Copper and zinc act as catalysts in enzyme systems within cells or as parts of enzymes and are considered as constituents of hundreds of proteins involved in intermediary metabolism, hormone secretion pathways and immune defense systems (Dieck et al, 2003) and such trace elements are required in small amounts, usually less than 100 mg/kg dry matter (Bao et al, 2007)
Summary
Agricultural farming system in Bangladesh a day‟s largely depends on poultry sectors and broiler is one of the major harvest of poultry farming. Limited use of antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) in food animal has been established worldwide (Turnidge, 2004) Antibiotics induce their effect by stabilizing the intestinal microflora thereby preventing proliferation of specific intestinal pathogens (Shane, 2005). Today the use of antibiotics growth promoter in broiler ration has been eliminated or limited due to the concern of antibiotic resistance development in human. Very limited studies were conducted to observe the dietary effects and identify the optimum and safety levels of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate on performances of broiler. The present study was designed to investigate the comparative effects of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate on growth performances, feed intake, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens
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