The effect of the chelated form of trace elements in diet on weight gain, production traits, egg specific gravity, immune system, blood parameters, liver enzymes, and progesterone hormone in Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens

This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of the chelated form of trace elements in diet on the production traits, immunity, and blood parameters of Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens. Treatments included Treatment 1 (Negative control): Mn, Se, Cu, Fe and Zn provided as non-chelated form; Treatment 2 (Positive control): Mn, Se, Cu, Fe and Zn provided as chelated form; Treatment 3: Mn, Se, Cu, Fe and Zn provided as 50% chelated form and 50% non-chelated form; Treatment 4: Zn provided as chelated form; Treatment 5: Cu provided as chelated form; Treatment 6: Fe provided as chelated form; Treatment 7: Mn provided as chelated form; Treatment 8: Se provided as chelated form. The results showed that over the entire production period egg production and egg mass were affected by the experimental treatments (p < 0.05) and that the highest levels were observed in treatments 2 and 3. The chelated form of trace elements had a significant effect, increasing the number of settable eggs and decreasing the unsettable eggs over the entire production period (p < 0.05). Average egg weight over the entire period was not significantly changed (p > 0.05). The highest percentage of 2-yolk, thin shell, broken and small eggs was observed in 61st week of age significantly (p < 0.05). The experimental treatments had a significant effect on the immunity and the antibody titre against Newcastle disease showed a significant increase in treatments 2 and 8 (p < 0.05). The concentration of glucose, triglyceride, progesterone, AST and ALT were affected by the experimental treatments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of a basic diet containing Zn, Fe, Cu, Se and Mn in the chelated form or the use of a basic diet containing mineral elements of Zn, Fe, Cu, Se and Mn with 50% non-chelated form and 50% in the chelated form improves the performance of production traits, immunity and blood parameters of Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens.

Automated summary

This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of chelated form of trace elements in diet on the production traits, immunity, and blood parameters of Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens. The results showed that the chelated form of trace elements significantly affected egg production and egg mass, with the highest levels observed in treatments 2 and 3. The chelated form also increased the number of settable eggs and improved immunity. Glucose, triglyceride, progesterone, AST, and ALT levels were affected by the treatments. In conclusion, the use of chelated form or a combination of chelated and non-chelated form of trace elements in the diet improves the performance of Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens in terms of production traits, immunity, and blood parameters.