Effect of dietary chromium source with or without probiotic on productive performance and immune status of broiler chicken

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted using 360 one day old sexed male broiler breeder COBB chicks to investigate the effect of dietary Cr source [inorganic-organic] supplementation in broiler diets with or without addition of probiotics in drinking water on productive performance and immune status of broiler chicken. Inorganic Cr source [chromium chloride] was supplemented to the basal diets of two groups, the first group drank water with 1ml/L probiotic and the second group drank water without probiotic. Organic Cr source [OCY] was supplemented to the basal diets of another two groups, one of them drank water with 1ml/L probiotic and the second group drank water without probiotic. Cr sources were supplemented at the same dose [4.0 mg Cr/kg diet]. The experiment was extended for 6 weeks. Body weight development, body weight gain, feed intake and FCR were calculated weekly. Serum GOT, GPT, uric acid and creatinine were determined. Lymphoid organs weight [bursa, spleen, thymus] were recorded. Both Cr sources supplementation increased body weight gain of the birds significantly except chromium chloride with probiotic addition which showed non significant increase. Feed intake from either inorganic or organic Cr source was lower than the control group. FCR was improved by Cr supplementation in both sources, but inorganic Cr supplementation showed better FCR than organic Cr source. Over all results of HI test, skin response test, lymphoid organ weight showed that supplementation of Cr in both source was stimulate the immune response of bird. The current study indicated that dietary Cr supplementation [inorganic- organic] in broiler diet achieved maximal performance of broiler chicken. Inorganic and organic Cr supplementation stimulates immune response of the birds in various degrees