Organic and inorganic minerals in Sonali chicken diets: Effect on growth performance and meat quality

Background: This study investigated the effects of inorganic minerals and organic trace minerals supplementation on the production and carcass characteristics of Sonali chickens. Materials and methods: A total of 180 Sonali chicks (RIR and Fayoumi cross) were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups, each group occupying 3 replications. Dietary groups were considered as control (T0), organic trace minerals at 100 g/100 kg feed (T1), inorganic minerals at 250 g/100 kg feed (T2), and organic trace minerals at 100 g/100 kg feed + inorganic minerals at 250 g/100 kg feed (T3), respectively. Weekly body weight and feed intake data were taken to 60 days. Results: Initial body weight was not significantly different among the experimental groups (P 0.05). But the final body weight was significantly different among the experimental groups (P 0.05), with the highest value recorded at T3 (857.67 g). Total body weight gain was significantly different among the experimental groups (P<0.05) and was the highest value recorded in the T3 group (833.99 g). Total feed intake was non-significant among the experimental groups. Feed conversion ratios differed significantly among the experimental groups (P 0.05), with the lowest but best FCR found in the T3 group (1.96). Daily live weight gain was significantly different among experimental groups (P 0.05). Carcass weight, breast, thigh, and drumstick weights were significantly different among the dietary groups (P 0.01). Faecal ash (17.33%) and calcium (2.10%) secretion was lower in the organic trace minerals(T1) group than in the inorganic minerals(T2) group as well as the combined group, but phosphorus secretion (2.65%) was lower in the combined(T3) group than in the organic trace minerals group and the inorganic minerals group. The experimental groups differed considerably (P 0.01) in net profit, with T3 having the highest value (39.47 Bangladeshi taka) and T0 having the lowest (17.04 BDT). The benefit over control differed considerably (P< 0.01) among the experimental groups, with the highest value in the T3 group (22.43 BDT) and the lowest in the T2 group (6.89 BDT). Conclusion: So, Sonali commercial farmers may combine organic trace minerals and inorganic minerals with basal feeds to increase Sonali chicken production efficiency and profit.