Performance and antioxidant status as affected by supplementing graded levels of organic and inorganic chromium in commercial broiler chicken

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of inclusion of graded levels of organic (chromium picolinate) and inorganic (chromium chloride) chromium (Cr) at 0, 300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1500 μg/kg of diet, separately in a 5×2 factorial manner on the performance and antioxidant status of broilers. A total of 440 day-old commercial broiler male chicks were divided into 11 dietary treatments with 8 replicates (5 broilers in each replicate) and fed test diets ad lib. from day-one to 42 days of age (pre-starter: 0–14 d; starter: 15–28 d and finisher: 29–42 d). Feed intake (FI) was more (P<0.05) in organic Cr fed group and at a level of 600 μg broilers consumed more (P<0.05) feed compared to other levels. The interaction (source and level) increased (P<0.05) FI compared to control. Body weight gain (BWG) of broilers was not influenced by the source of Cr. However, no significant difference was observed in BWG with levels above 600 μg. The interaction effect improved (P<0.05) the BWG than control group. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in Cr supplemented diets, however, supplementation of Cr at 1500 μg/kg level improved (P<0.05) FCR. Supplementation of Cr at graded levels reduced (P<0.05) malondialdehyde levels, decreased the glutathione peroxidase activity and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. It could be concluded that supplementation of either organic or inorganic Cr at 600 μg/kg diet was found sufficient in terms of better growth performance and antioxidant status in broilers.