EVALUATION OF HYDROXYCHLORIDE MINERAL INCLUSION ON BROILER AND LAYER PERFORMANCE

The objective of this research was to evaluate improvements in bird performance parameters using various levels of hydroxychloride minerals in broiler and laying hen chickens. Experiment 1 consisted of 2 broiler trials. Diets for Trial 1 contained levels of Zn hydroxychloride (ZHC) at 40, 80, 120, and 160 ppm, and were compared to ZnSO4 at 80 ppm, and the Trial 2 diets contained ZHC at 100, 125, and 150 ppm, compared to the 2 control diets containing ZnSO4 at 90 ppm (inorganic Zn) with a coccidiostat (positive control (PC)) or without a coccidiostat (negative control (NC)). Dietary ZHC at 120 ppm Trial 1 increased feed intake (FI), increased body weight (BW), breast weight, and breast yield. The inclusion of ZHC at 150 ppm in Trial 2 increased carcass weight and breast yield. These results confirm the ability of ZHC to improve broiler performance and yield. Experiment 2 evaluated increasing levels of manganese hydroxychloride (MnHCl) at 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 ppm on performance parameters, Mn deposition, and tibia strength in broilers. Increasing levels of dietary MnHCl reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the later stages of production. Elevated levels of MnHCl also led to linear and quadratic reductions in FCR and increases in tibia Mn deposition. These data indicate the benefit of feeding elevated levels of MnHCl on growth performance and mineral deposition in broilers. Experiment 3 evaluated increasing levels of MnHCl in 45-wk-old White Leghorn laying hens on yolk and shell Mn content as a potential marker for trace mineral requirements. Hens were depleted of manganese (Mn) for a 21 d period prior to the beginning of the experiment. Hens were then provided diets containing 0, 15, 30, 60, or 90 ppm MnHCl, which was compared to a non-depleted reference diet containing 70 ppm Mn oxide for a 35 day experimental period. Egg yolk Mn demonstrated higher sensitivity to changes in dietary Mn concentration than shell Mn. Replenishment of yolk Mn levels of layers consuming the reference diet was achieved as quickly as 10 d in hens consuming 90 ppm MnHCl, and 15 d in hens consuming 60 and 30 ppm. These results suggest egg yolk Mn concentration can provide a non-destructive method for determining Mn requirements in poultry. In conclusion, improvements in performance and mineral deposition associated with increasing dietary concentration of hydroxychloride minerals are dependent on dose and time. Based on the results of these experiments, hydroxychloride minerals could serve as an alternative mineral source for use in livestock feed compared to traditional sulfates and oxides. When implementing alternative mineral sources into production, it is important to evaluate and potentially alter mineral requirements based on breed and target performance