Effect of dietary supplementation of ferrous sulphate on growth, immunocompetence traits, carcass quality and meat composition of Turkey poults Sharma Ankit1, Bhattacharyya Amitav1,*, Shukla Pankaj Kumar1, Kumar Vinod2, Singh Vaibhav Kumar1 1Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura-281 001, Uttar Pradesh, India 2Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura-281 001, Uttar Pradesh, India *Corresponding Author: Amitav Bhattacharyya, Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura-281 001, Uttar Pradesh, India, Email: amitav6@gmail.com
Online published on 1 November, 2023. Abstract Background Inorganic iron compounds have a positive effect on the health and growth of the broiler chickens. However, limited work has been done in Turkeys. Thus a study was conducted to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of ferrous sulphate on the growth, immunocompetence traits, carcass quality and meat composition of Turkey poults. Methods Day old turkey poults (n=96) were distributed into four treatment groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) having 3 replicates of 8 birds each. The poults in T1 were fed (control) basal diet, while for birds in T2, T3 and T4, FeSO4 was supplemented @ 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg of feed, respectively. Result Weekly body weight gain was significantly higher in T4 than T1 and T2 birds at 6th (P<0.01) and 7th week (P<0.05). Phase wise body weight gain was also significantly higher (P<0.05) in T4 than T1 and T2 during 4 to 8 weeks and 0 to 8 weeks (P<0.01). Weekly feed conversion ratio of T4 group was significantly better (P<0.01) at 6th week and 7th week than T1 and T2 group birds. The birds fed with T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher foot web index compared to T1 and T2 group birds. Iron supplemented groups had significantly (P<0.01) higher dressing per cent. T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher deposition of iron in thigh muscle. Thus, dietary supplementation of FeSO4 @ 160 mg/kg resulted in better growth performance, immunity, significantly higher dressing per cent and significantly higher deposition of iron in thigh meat cuts. Top Keywords Body weight gain, Dressing percent, Ferrous sulphate. Top |