DefinePK

Abstract

Effect of using inorganic and organic trace minerals premix on performance, carcass, and tibia bone characteristics and histological structure of ileum, liver, and tibia bone of broiler chicks were investigated. A starter (1-21 d) and a grower (22-35 d) corn-soybean meal diets were supplemented with inorganic trace mineral premix ITM (T1), organic trace mineral premix OTM (T2), or ITM+OTM (T3). The organic mineral premix had lower element concentrations than the inorganic premix. A total of 150 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were distributed into three dietary treatments (5 replicates x 10 chicks each). The results showed no significant effect of dietary treatments on broiler chickens’ body weight gain and feed intake. Birds fed organic trace minerals showed a significantly better feed conversion ratio than inorganic trace minerals. Organic trace minerals did not significantly affect carcass characteristics or tibia bone measurements except tibia ash%. Histological analysis of ileum revealed that broiler chicks fed diets with organic minerals significantly decreased villi length and crypt depth. The liver tissue and tibia bone were healthy and normal in all experimental groups. It could be concluded that organic trace minerals can be used at lower levels than the recommended levels of inorganic trace minerals not only without a negative impact on performance but may lead to improve feed efficiency and intestinal and bone histology. Further studies, using other parameters, are needed to prove the impact of different organic minerals sources and levels upon poultry production and environmental pollution.