THE EFFECT OF FEED SUPPLEMENTATION WITH CU ANG ZN CHELATES ON THE CONTENT OF THESE ELEMENTS IN THE BLOOD OF BROILER CHICKENS AND THEIR BODY WEIGHT AND FEED CONVERSION

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Cu and Zn chelates on the levels of these microelements in the blood of broiler chickens in successive weeks of rearing. The re-search material was Ross 308 broiler chickens. The study was carried out in two buildings with 30,000 chickens in each. From each building, 50 chickens were randomly selected to form the experimental and control groups. Blood for analysis was collected from the wing vein every 7 days, from the first day of fattening to day 42. In the experimental group the microelements zinc and copper contained in the feed were in organic form. The effect of the feed additive containing selected microelements in organic form on broiler chickens was assessed from weeks 1 to 6 of fattening. During the experiment the average body weight gains were monitored. Mortality was monitored, and feed consumption per kg weight gain was estimated. To conclude, the addition of organic Cu and Zn chelates to the diet of broiler chickens affected their average body weight gain, increasing body weight at the start and end of the fattening period (fifth and sixth weeks of age) while increasing feed conversion.