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Title: Organic trace minerals (Mintrex P) in broiler breeder diets and pre-incubation conditions on bone development and leg health of broilers

Author
item OVIEDO-RONDON, E. - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item MEIJA-SANCHEZ, L. - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item SMALL, J. - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item BRANNAN, K. - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item LEKSRISOMPONG, N. - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item Mitchell, Alva
item YORK, T. - NOVUS INTERNATIONAL
item BRAKE, J. - NOVUS INTERNATIONAL

Submitted to: International Poultry Forum Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2007
Publication Date: 1/21/2008
Citation: Oviedo-Rondon, E.O., Meija-Sanchez, L., Small, J., Brannan, K.E., Leksrisompong, N., Mitchell, A.D., York, T.A., Brake, J. 2008. Organic trace minerals (Mintrex P) in broiler breeder diets and pre-incubation conditions on bone development and leg health of broilers. International Poultry Science Forum. Abstract #T121 (pg. 17) [Poultry Science 87(S1):162].

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Leg health issues and bone disorders are developmental problems that may be increased by environmental stress, inadequate nutrition, and improper incubation conditions. Organic trace minerals (OTM) as Mintrex® P were added on top (1 kg/MT) of Ross 708 broiler breeder diets from start of lay. Eggs from the flock at 35 wk of age were then pre-incubated in either NON-UNIFORM conditions at 23.9C without forced air movement for 9 h or in UNIFORM conditions at 26.7C with forced air movement for 11 h. All eggs were thereafter incubated in a similar manner and exposed to elevated temperatures in the hatchers. Bone development was evaluated in 20 chicks per treatment at hatch. Chicks were grown to 49 d of age in 48 floor pens. Gait scores and leg disorders were observed at 40 d of age and incidence per pen was determined. Broilers were processed at 49 d and both tibias collected. Tibia mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined with DEXA. Data was analyzed as 2x2 completely randomized factorial design with breeder diet (Control vs OTM) and egg pre-heating (NON-UNIFORM vs UNIFORM) as main effects. Results indicated that treatments did not affect chick BW or yolk utilization at hatch. However, UNIFORM pre-incubation caused lower relative weights of femur and tibias, shorter femur and tibias, and higher relative asymmetry of tibias and shanks. Chicks from breeders fed added OTM had thicker shanks and lower shank length relative asymmetry. The incidence of twisted legs at 40 d was affected by both breeder diet and egg pre-heating treatments. UNIFORM pre-incubation reduced incidence of twisted legs. Breeder diets with added OTM produced broilers with a lower incidence of gait score 2 (P more or less than 0.01) or any gait score >1. BMD and BMC were not affected by treatments, but the relative asymmetry in BMD was reduced (P = 0.08) by added OTM in breeder diets. It was concluded that added OTM in breeder diets can improve bone development and gait scores in the progeny, and pre-incubation conditions may affect bone development and reduce bone disorders in broilers.