Effects of dietary copper and zinc hydroxychloride supplementation on bone development, skin quality and hematological parameters of broilers chickens.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), using two mineral sources (sulphate and hydroxy forms), on the bone characteristics, skin strength/elasticity, and haematological parameters of broilers. A total of 1792 1-day-old male Cobb-500 broiler chickens were randomly distributed among eight dietary treatments, using Cu sulphate (CSM) or hydroxychloride (CHC), and Zn sulphate (ZSM) or hydroxychloride (ZHC). The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) low-CSM/high-ZSM, (2) high-CSM/high-ZSM, (3) low-CHC/low-ZHC, (4) low-CHC/medium-ZHC, (5) low-CHC/high-ZHC, (6) high-CHC/low-ZHC, (7) high-CHC/medium-ZHC, and (8) high-CHC/high-ZHC. On Day 42, blood samples were collected from one bird/pen to analyze the haematological parameters. Finally, two birds/pen were slaughtered, and the tibia and femur were collected to analyze the quality of bone and skin. The means were subjected to ANOVA and, when significant, compared by Tukey's test (p < 0.05) or Dunnett's (p < 0.05) test. The haematological parameters were not influenced by mineral supplementation. However, the inclusion of low ZHC enhanced the skin strength compared to high ZHC (p = 0.046). Furthermore, the bone mineral density of the tibia proximal epiphysis, tibia ash and tibia mineral content were positively improved with supplementation of low-CHC/medium-ZHC compared to high-CHC/medium-ZHC. This study demonstrated that hydroxy compounds are potential alternatives for replacing sulphate supplements in broiler diets. Moreover, among the Cu and Zn levels, the low CHC (15 mg/kg) and medium ZHC (100 mg/kg) improved bone development and skin integrity, suggesting that the combination of Cu and Zn can be a nutritional strategy to prevent the incidence of leg disorders in broilers.

Sources and levels of copper and manganese supplementation influence performance, carcass traits, meat quality, tissue mineral content, and ileal absorption of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels and sources of Cu and Mn (sulfate or hydroxychloride - H) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat and skin quality, footpad dermatitis severity, litter quality, liver and plasma mineral content, and ileal mineral absorption. A total of 1,920 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broiler chicks were assigned randomly to one of 2 × 3+2 factorially arranged treatments: CuH (15 and 150 ppm) × MnH (40, 80, 120 ppm) + 15 ppm Cu Sulfate with 80 ppm Mn Sulfate (control 1) or 150 ppm Cu Sulfate with 120 ppm Mn sulfate (control 2) for 42 d. Each treatment consisted of 8 replicates of 30 birds. At 42-day-old were slaughtered for carcass yield and meat quality analyses. At 43-day-old, it was determined the apparent ileal absorption of minerals and the concentration of Cu and Mn in the liver and plasma. The resistance and elasticity of the skin, and footpad dermatitis severity were also evaluated. The level 150 ppm CuH improved the FCR compared to the 15 ppm CuH and 15 ppm Cu Sulfate level. Broilers fed diets containing 150 ppm CuH showed higher breast yield compared to those fed diets containing 15 ppm. Breast yield was positively influenced by the inclusion of 40 ppm MnH. There was an interaction between the CuH and the MnH for skin elasticity, and the highest elasticity was found when the supplementation levels were 150 ppm CuH and 40 ppm MnH. High levels of copper decreased the incidence of footpad dermatitis. The hydroxychloride source determined a higher mineral concentration in the liver and plasma and greater apparent ileal absorption of Cu and Mn. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 150 ppm CuH and 40 or 80 ppm MnH enhance breast yield and improves skin resistance. The inclusion of 150 ppm CuH has the possibility to improve the FCR and decrease leg injuries. Furthermore, the hydroxychloride source seems to be more bioavailable than the sulfate source.