INFLUENCE OF THE IRON METHIONATE AND FERROUS SULPHATE ON SOME PRODUCTIVE INDICES IN BROILER CHICKENS

V. Dilova, Z. Shindarska, T. Yankovska, A. Arnaudova-Matey

Abstract: Comparative study of iron methionate (Fe-methionate) and iron sulphate (FeSO4,Merck) in broiler chickens was conducted. The aim of the study was to establish the effect of two levels of iron methionate and iron sulphate (40 ppm and 300 ppm) on some productive indicators and iron depositing in liver. The rheological studies conducted with FeSO4 (heptahydrate) and iron methionate were aimed to explore the opportunities to mix these products with the feed. The iron content in both products were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), which showed that the iron methionate contained 13.3% iron and the ferrous sulphate contained 20% iron. We found that the rheological parameters (angle of repose, flow rate, Hausner,s ratio) was better in ferrous methionate compared to that of the ferrous sulphate (heptahydrate), which was a prerequisite for better mixing with the feed. In terms of the chicken weight and feed convention at a basic iron in the mixtures of 119.5 ppm and additive of 40 ppm and 300 ppm ferrous methionate or ferrous sulphate, respectively the trends were in favour of the organic product, however the differences were not statistically significant. The ferrous methionate deposits in the chicken,s liver were higher compared to that of the ferrous sulphate (p < 0.05).

Keywords: broiler chickens; ferrous methionate; ferrous sulphate; liver deposit; productive indices; rheological parameters

Date published: 2017-09-11