Abstract
ABSTRACT A total of 400 one-day-old, straight-run, commercial (Ross 308) broiler chicks were used to evaluate the effects of two dietary levels of zinc (Zn) sources on broiler chick performance, carcass traits and blood parameters. Corn-soybean diets were formulated for three rearing phases (starter, grower and finisher). The two dietary treatments applied consisted of the addition per kg of diet of 80mg of inorganic Zn (ZnO) (T1), or 80mg of ZnO plus 42mg of an organic Zn-amino acid complex (Availa-Zn120; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, USA), totaling 122mg of the combined organic and inorganic Zn sources (T2). Birds were distributed according to a completely randomized design in the two treatments with eight replicates (pens) of 25 birds each. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. On day 42, blood samples were taken from four birds closest to the group average weight per replicate (32 per treatment) and then slaughtered for carcass evaluation. The results of this study did not find any significant effect of either of the evaluated Zn sources on broiler growth performance. Mortality rate was significantly lower (p<0.05) by the higher Zn concentration and the Zn sources group (T2). Carcass yields were not significantly influenced by the treatments. Breast quality showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in shear force (T2), indicating juicier meat. Higher concentrations (p<0.05) of Zn, Phosphorus (P), and total protein in blood were noted in (T2). Birds fed a mixture of organic and inorganic Zn source (T2) presented overall better results.
Highlights
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element in all living systems – from bacteria, plants and animals to humans – and plays an important role in various biological activities in animals, especially in fast-growing poultry (Liu et al, 2011)
Using Zn sources with higher bioavailability may reduce the excretion of Zn. This subject has been extensively researched in many countries, but no information in literature cited examines the effects of higher concentrations of Zn in the diet by combining conventional inorganic Zn sources (ZnO) with organic sources, such as a Znamino acid chelate on the growth performance, meat quality, and blood parameters of broilers
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of broiler diets supplemented with different forms and levels of Zn: zinc oxide (ZnO) (80 mg/kg) as inorganic source, or higher concentrations of Zn (122 mg/kg) from a combination of ZnO with an organic Zn source (Availa-Zn120; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, USA) on broiler performance, carcass and parts yields, meat quality and blood parameters
Summary
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element in all living systems – from bacteria, plants and animals to humans – and plays an important role in various biological activities in animals, especially in fast-growing poultry (Liu et al, 2011). Organic Zn sources, such as Zn methionine (Zn-Me) and Zn amino acid complex (ZnAA), have been used in the poultry feed industry owing to their potentially higher Zn bioavailability (Berger et al, 2006; Salim et al, 2010) when compared with the inorganic forms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of broiler diets supplemented with different forms and levels of Zn: ZnO (80 mg/kg) as inorganic source, or higher concentrations of Zn (122 mg/kg) from a combination of ZnO with an organic Zn source (Availa-Zn120; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, USA) on broiler performance, carcass and parts yields, meat quality and blood parameters
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
