Effect of dietary organic and inorganic copper supplement on apparent nutrient digestibility, trace mineral retention, ileal morphology and blood parameters of cockerels

Abstract

The effect of dietary copper source and dosage on growth, apparent nutrient digestibility, trace mineral retention, ileal morphology and blood parameters of cockerel chicks were investigated using two hundred and forty (240) day-old chicks arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangements involving 2 Cu sources (copper sulphate (CuSO4), copper proteinate (Cu P)) supplemented at 3 levels (0, 50 and 100 mg/kg). There were 6 treatment groups of 40 birds each replicated 5 times with 8 birds per replicate. Birds fed diet supplemented with CuSO4 and those fed diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg Cu from CuP showed improved (P<0.05) daily feed intake. Chicks fed diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg Cu sourced from CuP recorded the highest (P<0.05) apparent crude protein digestibility and Fe retention. Dietary supplemented with CuP showed increased (P<0.05) Cu, Zn and Fe retention when compared to their counterparts fed diet supplemented with CuSO4. Packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein, serum glucose and serum Cu concentration increased (P<0.05) while serum uric acid, serum triglyceride and serum cholesterol concentration reduced (P<0.05) with increasing dietary Cu dosage. Highest (P<0.05) serum glucose, serum Cu, least (P<0.05) serum triglyceride, cholesterol and creatinine concentration were obtained with birds fed diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg Cu sourced from CuP. Dietary supplementation with CuP resulted in increased (P<0.05) villi height when compared with birds fed diet supplemented with CuSO4. Dietary supplementation of up to 100 mg/kg Cu sourced from CuP is recommended for improved feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, trace mineral retention, serum biochemistry and gut morphology of cockerel chicks.

Keywords: Apparent nutrient digestibility, cockerel chicks, copper proteinate, ileal morphology, trace mineral retention