Effects of Various Copper Sources and Concentrations on Performance, Skeletal Growth, and Mineral Content of Excreta in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Abstract The experiment was designed to study the effect of supplemental sources and concentrations of copper on the performance and development and mineralization of tibia bones in broiler chickens. 42-day feeding trial using three copper sources i.e., copper sulphate (CuS), copper chloride (CuCl), and copper propionate (CuP) each with four copper levels i.e., 8, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg was taken. During 4–6 wk of age, the body weight gain was significantly higher at 200 mg Cu/kg diet. There was no significant difference on body weight gain due to interaction between Cu sources and levels. The feed intake during different growth phases did not differ significantly due to either main effect or interaction between copper sources and levels. The feed conversion ratio during 4–6 and 0–6 wk was significantly (P < 0.05) better in CuP supplemented diet (200 mg/kg diet). A total of 72 tibia bones, six per treatment, were collected at the end of experiment. Metabolic trial was conducted to look into mineral retention in broiler chickens on the final three days of the trial (40-42d). 8mg Cu/kg diet with Cu chloride, 100mg Cu/kg diet with Cu propionate, 8mg Cu/kg diet with Cu sulphate, and 8mg/kg diet with Cu propionate supplemented diet resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) increased tibia bone zinc (Zn) levels. Significantly (P < 0.01) lower tibia Zn content was recorded at higher levels of Cu (150 and 200 mg/kg diet). Higher (P < 0.01) tibia Cu content was recorded at 8 mg Cu/kg diet with Cu sulphate treated group. Excreta Zn content was higher (P < 0.01) in Cu sulphate supplemented diet than Cu chloride supplemented diet and lowest excreta Zn content was recorded in Cu propionate supplemented diet. Higher excreta Fe content (P < 0.05) was observed in Cu sulphate and Cu chloride supplemented diet than that recorded in Cu propionate supplemented diet. With the exception of a decrease in the zinc content of the tibia, feeding dietary Cu concentrations up to 200 mg Cu/kg diet, regardless of the different sources, showed no adverse impact on bone morphometry and mineralization parameters.