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

Abstract

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.

Effects of sodium dehydroacetate on broiler chicken bones

“…Leg disorders—caused by various factors including genetics, nutrition, feeding management, and infectious diseases—represent a major issue encountered by the broiler chicken industry ( Li et al, 2022 ). Although some additives such as zinc, copper sulfate, and phytate phosphorus can enhance bone quality, antibiotics, heavy metals, and pesticide residues ingested via food are considered detrimental to broiler chickens’ bone health ( Selim et al, 2022 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ; Szafraniec et al, 2022 ; Dos Santos et al, 2023 ; Hervo et al, 2023 ). Moreover, the anticoagulant warfarin interferes with the vitamin K cycle.…”