Original scientific paper
Carcass Yield, Bone Morphometry and Mineral Concentration in Tissues of Broilers Fed Nano Zinc Fortified Diet
Azeez Olanrewaju Yusuf
; Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Olawale Babatunde Olatunbosun
; Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Olapeju Yemisi Ayo-Ajasa
; Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Felix Temidayo Ogunmefun
; Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Abstract
Dietary zinc is a potential growth promoter essential for bone development with the possibility of influencing mineral retention in broiler chickens. This 42-day trial was conducted to evaluate the carcass yield, bone morphometry and mineral retention (calcium, zinc and copper) in some organs and muscles of broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with nano zinc oxide (N-Zn) powder. One hundred and eighty (180) Arbor acre broiler chicks were used for this study. The birds were divided into five groups and assigned to the five dietary N-Zn supplementation groups which are; 0 (control), 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg kg-1 N-Zn. Each treatment was replicated thrice to consist of 12 birds each. Vaccination and medication were adhered so that only birds in the control groups received antibiotics. Data collected were subjected to general linear model as contained in SPSS version 23. Dressing percentage did not vary significantly with dietary supplementation of zinc. However, thigh and heart weight varied, with the highest recorded in 40 and 60 mg kg-1 N-Zn supplemented groups, respectively. Copper concentration increased significantly in heart, kidney, liver and muscle of broiler chickens fed dietary N-Zn while calcium and zinc showed no difference. N-Zn supplementation increased tibio-tarsal length and weight in birds, but the bone and robusticity index were statistically similar. This study has concluded that dietary supplementation of nano N-Zn gives a similar carcass yield as those administered antiobiotics, it increased copper retention in organs and muscles and also increased the length and width of tibio tarsal bones.
Keywords
nano zinc, mineral retention, carcass yield and bone morphometry
Hrčak ID:
311923
URI
Publication date:
18.5.2024.
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