Potency of copper as growth promoter in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of certain copper sources and levels as growth promoter in broiler chickens. 175 days old Cobb broiler chicks were divided into seven equal groups. The experiment lasted six weeks, during which body weight development [BWD] and feed consumption of chicks were recorded weekly, then body gain [BG] and feed conversion efficiency were calculated. At the end of the experiment, liver copper concentration was determined as well as the cecal appearance and intestinal histological morphology were measured. Both levels of CuCO3 supplementation achieved significant increase in BWD and improved feed conversion. Low level of CuSO4 had no influence on BWD which was markedly improved with the high level. CuO failed to improve BWD significantly. Liver Cu concentration was significantly increased by CuSO4 supplementation which was insignificant in CuCO3, while the oxide form had no effect. Liver weight was not affected by any of the dietary treatments, meanwhile, cecum weight was increased markedly in all treated groups. Cecal appearance was affected markedly by CuSO4 supplementation and it was mildly affected in case of CuCO3, but oxide form did not exert such effect. Intestinal histological morphology indicated that copper has antimicrobial action within the gut