Barley et al.

to 373.15 ± 11.25 (T ₁ ). The PI values did not differ from

The percent retention ranged from 81.86 ± 1.04 (T ₅ ) to

each other in T ₂ , T ₃ , T 4 and T 5 . No significant differences

75.71 ± 2.36 (T ₁ ). The percent retention was significantly

were noticed between T ₃ and T ₄ . The PI values were

(P<0.05) higher in T ₅ than T ₁ (81.86 ± 1.04 vs. 75.71 ±

significantly (P < 0.05) lower in T ₁ than all the other

2.36) but did not differ significantly from T ₂ , T3 and T ₄ .

treatments.

Further, retention percentage did not differ significantly

Nutrient utilization and performance at 4 - 6 weeks

between T ₁ T ₂ , T 3 and T 4 . However, no significant effect

of exclusion of Co, Fe or Cu was observed on energy

The feed intake ranged from 1135.54 ± 14.58 (T ₄ ) to

retention compared to control.

1088.88 ± 34.86 g (T ₁ ). No significant difference was

observed amongst the dietary groups.

Critical perusal of above findings revealed that broilers

fed mineral mixtures excluding Cobalt, Copper and Iron

Body weight gain ranged from 666.00 ± 20.59 (T ₅ ) to

performed at par with those fed mineral mixture with

645.21 ± 41.35 g (T ₁ ). No significant difference was

Cobalt,CopperandIronandnoharmfuleffectwasobserved

observed between the treatments

on performance and nutrient utilization of broilers by

exclusion of Cobalt, Iron or Copper from mineral premix.

The feed efficiency ratio ranged from 0.5913 ± 0.0209 (T ₁ )

This finding is supported by earlier workers (Johnson et

to 0.5463 ± 0.0068 (T ₃ ). The feed efficiency ratio in T ,

1

al. , 1985), who suggested that broiler performance may

T2, T4 and T ₅ ; T , T and T were similar. The FER values

2

3

4

be independent of dietary copper content. Furthermore,

of T ₁ , T were significantly more than T (0.5913 ± 0.0209,

5

3

0.5883 ± 0.0100 vs. 0.5463 ± 0.0068).

present findings also supports the findings and suggestions

of workers (McDowell, 1992), who suggested that when

The performance index values ranged from 392.04 ± 16.92

the bird is supplemented adequate dietary Vit. B ₁₂ , there

(T ₅ ) to 334.19 ± 18.31 (T ₃ ). The performance index did not

is no convincing evidence of a requirement for or benefit

differ significantly between the treatments.

from dietary cobalt and reported that most of the feedstuffs

Overall performance at 0-6 weeks

contain sufficient iron (Fe) to meet the nutritional

requirements of poultry.

The overall feed intake ranged from 2592.26 ± 11.45(T ₄ )

to 2501.8 ± 18.07 (T ₁ ). The overall feed intake did not

differ significantly between the dietary treatments.

CONCLUSION

The overall body weight gain ranged from 1451.10 ± 30.84

Therefore, on the basis of present findings, it is concluded

that Cobalt, Copper and Iron can be safely excluded from

(T ₅ ) to 1371.38 ± 19.63 (T ). The body weight gain did not

1

differ significantly between treatments except between T

mineral premix fed to broilers, provided adequate Vit B ₁₂

1

is added to the diet and no deficiency of Copper and Iron

and T ₅ (1371.38 ± 19.63 vs.1451.10 ± 30.84).

content of feedstuffs used for feeding broilers is reported

The feed efficiency ratio ranged from 0.5667 ± 0.0144

in the region. No adverse effects on performance and

(T ₅ ) to 0.5395 ± 0.002 (T ₃ ). No significant difference was

nutrient utilization of broilers were observed because of

observed between the dietary treatments.

exclusion of Cobalt, Copper and Iron from the mineral

The performance index ranged from 822.78 ± 33.26

premix offered to broilers. This factor may contribute to

economy of production as well as may reduce the potential

(T ₅ ) to 747.61 ± 16.35 (T ). No significant difference

3

soil pollution by mineral excretion in poultry droppings.

was observed between T ₁ , T , T and T . The P.I. was

2

3

4

significantly (P < 0.05) better in T ₅ than that of T ₃ and T 4

(822.78 ± 33.26 vs. 747.61 ± 16.35, 748.36 ± 18.94).

REFERENCES

The percent retention of nitrogen ranged from 77.18 ±

AOAC, 1990. Official Methods of Analysis. Association of

0.28 (T ₅ ) to 70.50 ± 2.70 (T ₁ ). The percent retention of

Official Analytical Chemist (IDRC) Ottawa Canada, P.S.

nitrogen was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in T ₁ compared

Bird, J.M., 1955. Performance index of growing chickens. Poult.

to T ₄ and T ₅ (70.50 ± 2.70 vs. 76.41 ± 0.41 and 77.18 ±

Sci. , 34 : 1163-1164.

0.28). No significant differences were observed between

Cao, J., X.G Luo., P.R.Henry, C.B. Ammerman, R.C. Littel

T ₂ , T ₃ , T 4 and T 5 and between T 1 , T 2 and T 3 .

and R.D. Miles., 1996. Effect of dietary iron concentration,

64

Journal of Animal Research: v.5 n.1. April 2015