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Effect of Zinc Methionine Supplementation on the Performance of Mature Broiler Breeders

University of Arkansas, Animal and Poultry Science Building, Fayetteville, AR 72701; Phone: (501) 575-4833; FAX: (501) 575-7294

Correspondence: Nicholas B. Anthony

A 22 week study was conducted with mature broiler breeders to evaluate their performance and immuno-response when fed a zinc-supplemented diet. Three dietary treatments were used: 1) a practical basal (control) diet containing 72 mg/kg of Zn and 0.357% methionine (Met); 2) the basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn from Zn Oxide and DL-Methionine to provide 152 mg/kg of Zn and 0.373% Met; and 3) the basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg Zn from Zn-Methionine to provide 152 mg/kg of Zn and 0.373% Met. Six replications of each dietary treatment were utilized, with each replication containing 40 females and 5 males. Daily feed allocation was 35 lb/100 birds. Egg production and livability were measured daily for the 22-wk trial. Fertility, hatchability, egg weights and chick weights were evaluated 4 times during the study. Cellular and humoral immunity were measured at week 22. Fertility and hatchability of eggs from birds fed the zinc-supplemented diets were not different from birds fed the control diet. Zinc-supplemented diets did not alter egg weight, chick weight, egg production, livability, and humoral or cellular immunity when compared to the control-fed birds. Significance levels were based on P<. 05.

Key Words: Zinc • methionine • broiler breeder • performance • immune response