Impact of Nutritional Copper Sulfate on The Performance, Carcass Traits and Blood Constituents of Leghorn Chicks

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding copper sulphate to a diet high in plant proteins (PP) on broiler chickens' performance. 300 unsexed 1-day-old Leghorn commercial broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treat groups with equal average live body weights (LBW). Each group consisted of 75 chicks separated into 5 replicates of 15 chicks each and housed in similar conditions. Two different basal diets were used: one containing animal protein (AP) for the 1^st treat group (T1) and another containing (PP) for the 2^nd treat group (T2). The 3^rd and 4^th treat groups (T3 and T4) received the (PP) diet with the addition of copper sulfate at 150 and 300 ppm/kg, respectively. The study lasted for forty-two days, and all diets were expressed to chance the alimentary supplies of the broilers at each stage of growth based on the strain sequence recommendations.

The results of the study visibly showed that adding copper sulfate to the PP diet significantly increased broiler BW and BW gain at 3Wks of age related to those fed the (PP-diet) without copper sulfate or the AP-diet. By the completion of the trial at 6Wks of age, chickens fed the (PP-diet) with 300 ppm/kg of copper sulfate had the highest BW and BWG compared to the further treats. Supplementing broiler (PP-diets) with copper through the developing and final periods and throughout the entire experimental period improved FCR significantly associated to those fed the (PP-diet) without copper supplementation.

Both doses of copper sulfate supplementation significantly increased the relation weights of the eviscerated carcass, bursa of Fabricius, spleen, and pancreas in the plant protein diet group (P ≤0.01). Relative weights of abdominal fat separated were meaningfully (P ≤0.01) decreased for the broiler fed (PP-diet). T3 and T4 comparing with those fed AP-diet or PP-diet, (T1 and T2).  Chemical structure of chick's meat specified that Copper supplementation to plant protein diet (T3 and T4) significantly (P ≤0.01) decreased (EE %) matching with those fed Animal protein diet or Plant protein diet while; the (CP %) had the conflicting trend. Addition of copper sulfate to broiler Plant protein diet significantly (P≤0.01) decline plasma total cholesterol, total lipid concentrations and broiler meat total cholesterol. Supplementation of Cu to Plant protein diet significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased digestibility coefficient values of crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber and nitrogen free extract comparing with the digestibility values for the broiler fed Plant protein diet.  Incorporation of copper in the broiler Plant protein diet at the highest level (T4, 300 ppm/kg) was superior for maximized the net return, economic efficiency (1.373) and relative economic efficiency (103.32%) comparing with the other treatments.

In summary, the study unequivocally showed that adding copper sulphate to broiler plant feeds has a significant impact in enhancing broiler performance, blood lipid profiles, and economic efficiency