Effect of Nano Zinc Oxide and Traditional Zinc (Oxide and Sulphate) Sources on Performance, Bone Characteristics and Physiological Parameters of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Zinc is one of the most importance trace minerals in poultry nutrition. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the influence of nano zinc oxide (green and chemical) and traditional zinc (Oxide and Sulphate) on broiler performance, bone characteristics and some biochemical parameters from 1-35 day of age. A total of 240 a-day-old male chicks (Arbor Acres) were assigned at random into 4 treatments. Treatments 1 and 2 contained zinc in traditional form as zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc sulphate (Zn SO4) and treatments 3 and 4 contain zinc in nano form; green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (GZnO NPs) and chemically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (CZnO NPs); respectively. The results showed that the birds fed diet treated with nano-Zn sources (GZnO NPs and CZnO NPs) showed the best results (P<0.01) in weight gain and feed conversion ratio. There were no statistical differences between the two sources of zinc in the traditional form as well as between the two sources of zinc in the nano form. In addition, chicks fed nano zinc sources gave the best values in bone mineral density and bone mineral concentration compared to those fed traditional sources of zinc. These results reflect the values obtained for tibia length, width, breaking strength and ash since the dietary GZnO NPs and CZnO NPs were recorded for the highest values compared with the other traditional form. Non-significant differences were detected in the metabolic hormones (T3, T4) levels and their ratio T3/T4 among different dietary treatments. The results of the liver function (ALT, AST and albumin), the kidney function (creatinine) and alkaline phosphatase were within the normal range in all treatments. From the current results it can be suggested that using zinc in nano form instead of traditional form enhances performance and bone parameters of broiler chicks.