Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Trace Elements on the Growth Performance and Their Distribution in the Breast and Thigh Muscles Depending on the Age of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of different doses and forms of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Se on the growth performance and concentration of these elements in the breast and thigh muscle of Ross 308 broiler chickens at the age of 21, 35 and 42 days. The diets for groups 1 and 2 of birds were supplemented with equivalent amounts of trace elements in an inorganic form (Cu sulphate 5 mg kg-1, Fe sulphate, Zn oxide, Mn oxide 50 mg kg-1), but sodium selenite or selenized yeast (Sel-Plex) were given at the dose of Se 0.3 mg kg-1, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 received the same feed as chickens in groups 1 and 2 but with a highly reduced amount of supplemented nutrients in the organic "proteinated" form (Bioplex Cu 2.5 mg kg-1, Bioplex Fe, Bioplex Zn, Bioplex Mn 10 mg kg-1), except for selenium which was given at the dose of Se 0.3 mg kg-1 as sodium selenite or selenized yeast (Sel-Plex), respectively. The diet supplemented with the restricted doses of trace elements in proteinated forms (50% Cu, 20% Fe, Zn, Mn and a regular level of Se) had the same effect on the indexes of growth performance (such as the body weight on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 of life, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield and abdominal fat of chickens) as well as on the concentration of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn (except for Se) in the breast and thigh muscle of broilers at the age of 21, 35 and 42 days as did the diet with the recommended doses of minerals in the form of inorganic salts. Unlike sodium selenite, the proteinated form of Se (selenized yeast) is able to build a significant deposit of this element in the muscle of broilers at the age of 21, 35 and 42 days.