Effect of Supplementation of Organic Zinc on the Performance of Broiler Breeders

Abstract

Two hundred and sixty four broiler breeder hens of 33 weeks of age were distributed randomly in four dietary treatments with three replicate containing 22 birds. The dietary treatments included broiler breeder control ration containing 40 ppm zinc (T0) or the control ration supplemented with organic zinc (zinc methionine) at 20 (T1), 40 (T2) and 60 (T3) ppm levels. The experiment was continued from 33 to 48 weeks of age. Daily eggs production, BW and hatchability were recorded. At 48 weeks, serum biochemical and tibia bone parameters were assessed. The periodical hen day egg production in all the treated groups did not differ significantly (P<0.05) from 33 to 44 weeks of age but during 45–48 weeks of age the hen day egg production of the group T1 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than all other groups. The overall hen day egg production of the broiler breeders from 33 to 48 weeks did not differ (P>0.05) among all the treated groups. The FCR of different treatments did not differ significantly from 33 to 44 weeks of age but during 45–48 weeks, the FCR of T1 was significantly (P<0.05) better than other treated groups. The overall FCR of the entire experimental period (33–48 weeks of age), was without variations (P>0.05). The overall BW change, did not differ significantly among the treatments. The overall (3348 weeks) fertility percent and hatchability percent (on fertile egg set basis) of all the groups of broiler breeder were almost similar but the hatchability percent on total egg set basis of T2 and T3 groups was significantly higher as compared to T0 and T1. Except, serum levels of total protein, urea, alkaline phosphate (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, all other studied biochemical parameters did not differ significantly. There were no variations in the weight, length and cortex thickness of tibia including ash, calcium and phosphorus concentrations among the treatments. This experiment revealed that zinc methionine supplementation at 40 ppm level in broiler breeder ration had no consistent effect on egg production of the birds but improved hatchability on total egg set basis.