Effects of dietary organic and inorganic zinc and copper supplements on performance, footpad dermatitis, carcass characteristics, and blood profile of broiler chickens

The aims of this study was to determine the effect of organic and inorganic Zn and Cu supplements on performance, footpad dermatitis (FPD), carcass characteristics and blood profile in broiler chickens. A total of 336 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were distributed into 24 floor pen and reared for 42 days. A basal mineral premix (without Zn and Cu) was supplemented with organic or inorganic Zn and Cu to meet 100% (i.e., 110 and 16 mg/kg of the mineral premix, respectively) or 50% (i.e., 55 and 8 mg/kg of the mineral premix, respectively) of the recommended levels. Six dietary trace mineral premix were formed with inclusion of 1) inorganic Zn and Cu at the level 100%, 2) organic Zn and Cu at the level 100%, 3) inorganic Zn and Cu at the level 50%, 4) organic Zn and Cu at the level 50%, 5) organic Zn at the level 50% and inorganic Cu at the level 100%, and 6) inorganic Zn at the level 100% and organic Cu at the level 50%. Results indicated that organic Zn and Cu supplementation improved (P< 0.05) body weight gain and feed conversion ratio than inorganic form. However, the incidence and severity of FPD were significantly lower in broilers received only organic Zn and Cu than those of birds under inorganic Zn and Cu at the level 50%. Broilers fed lower level of inorganic Zn and Cu supplement showed the lowest breast yield compared to the other treatments. In contrast to the alkaline phosphatase enzyme, serum cholesterol concentration decreased (P< 0.05) in broiler chickens received organic Zn when compared to the supplementing of inorganic Zn and Cu at the level 50%. The results showed that organic Zn and Cu, as a proper alternative to inorganic forms, are useful to improve performance and health of broilers.