Journal of Animal Research: v.5 n.1, p. 61-65. April. 2015

DOI Number: 10.5958/2277-940X.2015.00010.8

Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Broilers Supplemented Mineral Premix

without Cobalt, Iron and Copper

G.G. Barley 1,2 *, R.P.S. Baghel 1 and Babita Das 1

1 Department of Animal Nutrition and Food Technology, College of Veterinary Science and A.H. Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA

2 AgriVenture, 10-SF, Sukhsagar Valley Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA

* Corresponding author: GG Barley; Email: tofssbi@yahoo.co.in

Received: 25 January, 2015

Accepted: 05 March, 2015

ABSTRACT

Ninety, day old broiler chicks were arranged into 5X3X6 pattern to investigate the effect of exclusion of Cobalt, Iron and Copper

from the mineral mixture. Five dietary groups (T1 to T5) were assigned basal diets containing 2800 kcal ME/kg and 22% CP

(Starter) and 20% (Finisher) for a total duration of 6 weeks. The chicks in T1 were fed commercial mineral mixture, T2 were

supplemented with mineral mixture prepared with laboratory reagent grade minerals while chicks of T3, T4 and T5 were fed

laboratory reagent grade mineral mixture without Cobalt, Iron and Copper, respectively. No significant difference was observed

in weight gain, feed intake, FER and PI of broilers fed various mineral supplements. Significantly (p<0.05) higher nitrogen

and energy retention (%) was recorded in broilers (T5) fed mineral supplement without Copper compared to broilers fed (T1)

commercial mineral supplement (77.18±0.28 vs. 70.50±2.70 and 81.86±1.04 vs. 75.71±2.36). It was concluded that Cobalt,

Iron and Copper can be safely excluded from mineral supplement in areas where the feed resources are rich in these elements.

Keywords : Broilers, Cobalt, Iron, Copper, Exclusion, Performance, Nutrient utilization

Lately, minerals have received considerable attention

when a highly available form of Co is added to the diet of

due to their importance in bird’s optimum performance.

poultry at higher level, it could result in Co toxicosis. Diaz

Microminerals such as Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Iron

et al. (1994) supplied 125, 250 and 500mg Co/kg DM

(Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) are although required

to day old chicks for 14 days. The lowest level reduced

in very little amount but their role in bird’s physiological

feed intake, weight gain and gain: feed ratio, while the

and biochemical functions is very important (Underwood

two higher levels caused pancreatic fibrosis, hepatic

and Suttle, 1999). They predominantly act as catalysts

necrosis and muscle lesions. McDowell (1992) suggested

and are present in many enzyme and hormonal systems.

that cobalt must be supplied in the diet of monogastric

Feed ingredients such as cereals, mill by-products and oil

species in it’s active form i.e. Vit. B ₁₂ . When the bird

cakes contain almost all the microminerals required by the

is supplemented adequate dietary Vit. B ₁₂ , there is no

poultry. The feed is generally supplemented with these

convincing evidence of a requirement for or benefit from

minerals through inorganic or organic mineral premix to

dietary cobalt. This fact is responsible for low dietary Co

safeguard the birds against deficiency of any or all the

requirement, which is 3-10 µ g/kg DM feed (NRC, 1994).

microminerals.

Further more, excessive Co is reported to suppress Fe

Cobalt is an essential trace element needed as a component

absorption (Under wood, 1984).

of vitamin B ₁₂ (Cyanocobalamin). Hill (1974) reported that

McDowell (1992) reported most of the feedstuffs contain