Influence of Zinc and Probiotics on Productive Performance, Immune Response and Mineral Content in Muscle of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is most commonly added to broiler chickens' feeds. It is an essential nutritional trace element for all forms of life. Probiotics are used to replenish the gastrointestinal flora and assist in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Two hundred straight-run one-day-old broiler chicks Ross 308 were divided randomly into four equal groups of 50 chicks, each divided into two replicates containing 25 chicks. The control group (T1) was fed a basal diet without any additives, the second group (T2) fed on a basal diet containing 1.5 g/kg Zn, the third group (T3) fed on a basal diet containing 1g/kg probiotic, the fourth group(T4) fed on a basal diet have a combination of Zn 1.5g/kg + probiotic 1g/kg. The result revealed a significant increase (p≤ 0.05) in the mean body weight values, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the combination group compared to the other groups. Likewise, this group showed significantly increased antibody titers against Newcastle and infections bursal disease vaccines and minerals contained in the pectoral muscle of broilers. In summary, our work recommends that a combination of Zn 1.5g/kg + probiotic 1g/kg could improve productive performance, immunity and chemical composition of minerals.