Effect of mineral feed additive on productivity of broiler chickens

Abstract

Mineral elements play an essential role in the metabolic processes carried out in the animal body at the cellular level. They support homeostasis, acid-base balance, and osmotic pressure. Lack of mineral elements leads to disturbances in metabolic metabolism, reduced productivity, and increased morbidity in poultry. Therefore, the research aimed to establish the effect of selenium-containing feed additives on broiler chickens' live weight, gains, feed consumption, slaughter, and hematological indicators. Selenium – exchanges proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to regulate enzymatic and redox reactions. The introduction of selenium into animals' rations contributes to the normalization of metabolism, preventing the accumulation of toxic oxidation products and damage to the cell membrane. The experiment lasted 42 days. Two groups of Ross-308 cross-broiler chickens, 20 heads each, were selected for the experiment. In addition to compound feed, the second experimental group used a mineral feed additive at the rate of 100 g per 1 ton of compound feed. When broiler chickens were fed a mineral feed additive, live weight increased by 4.9 %, average daily weight gain by 4.8 %, and absolute weight gain by 5.0 %, relative to control counterparts. It was established that using a mineral feed additive in feeding broiler chickens of the 2nd group, the consumption of feed per 1 kg of growth decreased by 9.0 %, compared to control analogs. It was found that the pre-slaughter live weight of broiler chickens of the 2nd group increased by 5.0 %, the weight of non-carcass carcass by 5.6 %, half-carcass by 5.5 %, and carcass weight by 6.2 %, compared to the control value. In addition, under the influence of the studied feed additive, the mass of the pectoral muscles in broilers of the 2nd group increases by 16.0 % (Р ≤ 0.05) and thigh muscles by 36.0 % (Р ≤ 0.001) relative to control indicators. It was found that in the broilers of the 2nd group, under the influence of the additive, the slaughter yield of the thigh muscles increased by 29.4 % (Р ≤ 0.05) compared to the control group. It was established that under the action of the mineral supplement, the level of hemoglobin in broiler chickens of the 2nd group increased by 5.3 % (Р ≤ 0.05) relative to the control value.