Evaluation of Increasing Manganese Hydroxychloride Level on Male Broiler Growth Performance and Tibia Strength

Abstract

SUMMARY: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of increasing manganese (Mn) hydroxychloride on growth performance and tibia strength of male broilers fed corn-soy diets. A total of 35 Ross 708 male broilers per pen were assigned to dietary treatments containing Mn hydroxychloride at 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 ppm, respectively. Broilers were fed for a 55 d period. Performance parameters were evaluated, and on days 42 and 55, 5 right tibias from each pen were excised for determination of mineral characteristics. Manganese had no statistical impact on body weight (BW) throughout the duration of the study. During the later stages of production, broilers fed diets containing elevated levels of Mn at or above 80 ppm had improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the birds fed diets containing 0 ppm. Regression analysis correlated elevated dietary Mn with improved FCR through day 14, 28, 42, 49, and 55 and increased Mn tibia concentration on days 42 and 55. At the termination of the study, broilers fed Mn at 160 ppm exhibited improved (P < 0.05) tibia breaking strength as compared to broilers fed 80 and 120 ppm Mn. These data indicate that the dietary concentration of Mn needed to maximize growth performance is higher than the reported value in the NRC (1994) of 60 ppm. Additionally, the requirement to maximize bone strength in heavier broilers may be elevated as compared to the requirement to maximize BW and feed intake.

Keywords

• manganese
• broilers
• performance
• tibia ash