Abstract
Simple SummaryThe current study evaluated the effects of dietary chromium propionate supplementation on growth performance and blood biochemistry of broilers. Results showed that chromium propionate has improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers. Also, meat to fat ratio improved and lean meat may be produced. Based on the study results, the recommended level of chromium propionate supplementation to broiler diet for better performance and weight gain is 400 ppb.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of varying levels of chromium propionate on blood biochemistry and growth performance of broilers (1–35 days). Five diets were formulated by using chromium propionate with inclusion levels of 0, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 ppb. A total of 300 broilers were divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates of 10 birds in each under completely randomized design. The starter feed intake remained unaffected (p > 0.05) whereas finisher and overall feed intake was different (p < 0.05) among different experimental groups. Feed conversion ratio and weight gain in starter, finisher and overall improved significantly (p < 0.05) with the increasing levels of chromium propionate. Blood glucose was decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing dietary chromium level. Chromium supplementation did not affect antibodies titers against NDV and AIV-H9. Neither live, hilal, after skin removal, eviscerated, chest weight and legs with shanks weight nor liver and heart weights were affected (p > 0.05) while gizzard weight reduced significantly (p < 0.05) due to supplementation of chromium. On the basis of results, it may be concluded that chromium propionate supplementation improved weight gain and FCR and reduced blood glucose. However, better performance and weight gain may be achieved if chromium propionate is added at the rate of 400 ppb in broiler diets.
Highlights
Feed additives have gained great popularity for their several benefits in humans and animals [1,2].This research focuses on the use of chromium as a feed additive in poultry
The lowest value of weight gain was observed in C4 supplemented group but the highest value was observed in C2 group
Unaltered feed intake in starter phase of this study was in line with the results of Eze et al [21] who observed no significant effect of supplemental chromium on feed intake in early weeks
Summary
Feed additives have gained great popularity for their several benefits in humans and animals [1,2].This research focuses on the use of chromium as a feed additive in poultry. The importance of chromium in animal nutrition is well-known for more than 40 years as it improves tissue sensitivity of insulin receptors, resulting in improved uptake of glucose by the cells [3]. Animals 2019, 9, 935 and essential for animals and human beings with a difference in metabolic activities inside the body. It is used in diets of poultry and animals to improve performance and productivity [4]. It can be obtained by reducing hexavalent chromium using cytochrome c7, which are proteins with heme that acts as a cofactor [4]
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