Influence of dietary vitamin A, zinc and copper on productive and reproductive performance of broiler breeders

Abstract

Objective: The study was designed to investigate the impact of selected essential micronutrients, vitamin A, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), on productive and reproductive performance of broiler breeders from 53-72 weeks of age. Materials and Methods: Total number of 96 broiler breeders (72 ♀ and 24 ♂) at 53 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to 8 equal groups of 9 hens each, divided into 3 replicate. The experiment was conducted in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement of the dietary treatments. Eight experimental diets were formulated using two levels of vitamin A (12500 and 25000 IU kg-1), two levels of Zn (132 and 264 mg kg-1) and two levels of Cu (15.7 and 31.4 mg kg-1) in this study. Results: The diet containing 12500 vitamin A IU kg-1+264 Zn mg kg-1+15.7 Cu mg kg-1 resulted in the best productive (egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio) and reproductive performance (fertility, hatchability and day-old chick weight). The optimal level of vitamin A, Zn and Cu resulted 12500 vitamin A IU kg-1, 264 Zn mg kg-1 and 15.7 Cu mg kg-1, respectively. Conclusion: Feeding diet containing 12500 vitamin A IU kg-1, 264 Zn mg kg-1 and 15.7 Cu mg kg-1 would produce best productive and reproductive performances of Cairo B-2 broiler breeders.