The effect of selenium source on the performance and meat quality of broiler chickens
2006
Sevcikova, S. | Skrivan, M. | Dlouha, G. | Koucky, M.
The effect of dietary supplementation of Se in an organic form on performance, carcass traits and Se content in tissues of broiler cockerels Ross 308 was studied. The experiment was conducted on 810 straight-run broiler cockerels randomly divided into 3 groups as follows: group I - control; group II - Se-enriched yeast supplemented as 0.3 mg Se/kg; group III - Se-enriched alga Chlorella supplemented as 0.3 mg Se/kg. The chickens were slaughtered at 42 days of age. Significantly higher live weights were recorder in both experimental groups (2,430.6 g and 2,425.2 g in the group II and III, respectively) than in control animals. Chickens fed Se-enriched alga had the best feed conversion efficiency. Se supplementation slightly increased mortality in both experimental groups. Se concentrations in breast and thigh muscle, liver, feathers and excrements were significantly higher in both experimental groups than in control animals. Higher values in breast and thigh muscle as well as in feathers were measured in the group II in comparison with the group III. On the contrary, group III animals excreted significantly more Se in their excrements than group II chickens. In conclusion, Se enrichment of the diet had some positive effects on the performance of broiler chickens and Se concentrations in their muscles. These effects depended on the form of Se supplementation.
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