Effect of inorganic and organic trace minerals in diet on laying performance, egg quality and yolk mineral contents in broiler breeder hens

Abstract

Two hundred and twenty (20 male and 200 female) 39 weeks old Ross-308 broiler breeder hens were used in this experiment. Birds were placed in a complete randomized design with 4 dietary treatments (A: 100% inorganic, B: 50% organic + 50% inorganic, C: 50% organic, and D: 100% organic source of trace minerals) and 5 replications containing 1 male + 10 females in each having similar body weight and egg production. Results indicated that inclusion of organic and inorganic trace minerals in broiler breeders’ diet did not have a significant effect on body weight change, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and egg production. However, the diets containing organic and/ or inorganic trace minerals had a significant effect on some egg quality parameters such as albumin weight (%), egg shell weight, yolk weight, yolk index, shell strength, shell thickness, and yolk colour. Inclusion of organic and inorganic trace minerals in broiler breeders’ diet also affected yolk trace minerals content. It was concluded that egg quality and yolk trace minerals content in broiler breeders can be affected by source of trace minerals in diet.