Effect of dietary copper chelate and herbal mixture on slaughter turkey performance

Roczniki Naukowe Polskiego Towarzystwa Zootechnicznego, t. 6 (2010), nr l Effect of dietary copper chelate and herbal mixture on slaughter turkey performance Małgorzata Dmoch, Antoni Polonis University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Chair of Animai and Environment Hygiene, Akademicka 13,20-217 Lublin Copper chelates and herbal mixtures are common feed additives used in pouitry diets. The objective of the present research was to assess turkey breeding parameters after drinking wat er supplementation with copper chelate and herbal mixture addition to birds' diet. The studies involved 160 turkeys assigned into the control group and three experimental ones, which received copper at two doses (30 mg CuJI H20 and 50 CuJI H20) and 1% herbal mixture feed additive. The production parameters of the control turkeys were compa red to those from the experimental groups. As an increased copper eontent improved weight gains and feed conversion rate to a lesser degree than a lower Cu content, smailer copper doses are recommended. The dietary supplements applied did not improve dressing percentage of birds, KEY WORDS: turkey / copper chelate / herbal mixture / body weight / feed intake / dressing percentage Copper is an element found in bird tissues in trace arnounts, yet it płays a vital role in poułtry and has been used as a feed suppjement for years. Adequate copper suppjies are criticał for apprapriate devejapment and heajth status of arganism. Although the copper nutrient requirement in poultry is law, it is 4 mg/kg feed according to the NRC [13], higher Cu supplementatian levels are recammended due to very high growth rate of birds and law dietary copper utilizatian (20%) caused by its intensive excretian via bile. The Paułtry Feeding Narms (PFN) [14] state that nutritive requirements of turkeys for copper, subject to a breeding stage, are 15-25 mg/kg feed. Therefore, to correct cap per deficiency maintaining a pro per minerał ratia between ather interactive minerałs (especially Zn and Mn), Cu must be provided in a highly avaijable form of copper preparations, added to drinking water. As cap per preparatians show mechanisms of antibacteriał actian, łike antibiotics, may be impjemented as safer substitute for antibiatics. Impartantly, apprapriate feeding strategy of turkeys shauld include feed additives. Practically, the most common supplementing cambinatians are thase of copper, zinc, 73

manganese, iron, selenium with amino acid (methionine, lysine), partially hydrolyzed protein (albuminates) and carbohydrates [16). Feeding herbal mixtures to farm animals at rearing period is a pre-condition for good animal health. Herbal mixtures have specific pharmacological properties and included at right doses show minimal undesirable effects. They include biologically active substances that have health benefits, are natural anti-stress remedy and tranquillizers, so applicable for prophylactic disease contro!. Besides, they boost the immune, gastro-intestinal, nervous and respiratory system. Herbal mixtures are known to improve both, animal performance and sensory qualities of meat. A pro-ecologic role of herbs in poultry raising is also worth mentioning, as they bind mycotoxins and reduce ammonia formation, which is beneficia! to the environment [6). The research purpose was to determine the effect of copper in the form of copper chelates as drinking water supplement as well as herb al mixture feed additive on the breeding parameters of slaughter turkeys. Materiał and methods The studies were conducted on turkeys of heavy type Big-6, Broad Breasted White breed. The research materia! comprised atotal of 160 turkey cocks assigned to four treatment groups, 40 birds each. Ali the birds were maintained under the same feeding and drinking patterns. Feedstuffs and water were supplemented by feed additives. The raising period!asted unti! 17 week of age. A design of the experiment is presented in Tab!e l. Copper was administered as copper-iysine comp!ex which is a more bioavailable form of supplementa! Cu, as compared to inorganic combinations [I). In the studies, two copper doses were applied: 30 mg Cull H20 and 50 mg Cu/! H20. A higher copper Table 1 - Tabela 1 Design of the experiment Układ doświadczenia Control group Grupa kontrolna Experimental groups Grupy doświadczalne II 1lI IV Standard full-ratlon diet and water ad libitum Standardowe mieszanki pełnoporcjowe i woda ad libitum Standard full-ration diet and water ad libitum + 30 mg Cull H20 chelate additive to drinking water Standardowe mieszanki pełnoporcjowe i woda ad libitum + dodatek 30 mg Cull H20 pitnej w postaci chelatu Standard full-ration diet and water ad libitum + 1% herbal mix feed additive Standardowe mieszanki pełnoporcjowe i woda ad libitum + dodatek I % mieszanki ziołowej do paszy Standard full-ratton diet and water ad libitum + 50 mg Cull H20 chelate additive to drinking water Standardowe mieszanki pełnoporcjowe i woda ad libitum + dodatek 50 mg Cull H20 pitnej w postaci chelatu 74

level did not pose a bird health risk as according to the PFN [15], birds have very high tolerance for copper ex ces s and only 15-fold higher Cu concentration in feed proves to be toxic to bird organism. Herbal mixture was formulated from the following dried herbs: AchilLea herb - 10%, Calendula officinalis inflorescence - 10%, Crataegus fruit - 20%, ground garlic - 10%, Equisetum herb - 10%, Urtica leaf - 20%, Oenothera seed - 20% and Melissa herb - 10%. The formulated herb mix was supplied at dose 1% of feed. The herb mixture was evałuated for minerał contents using atomie absorption spectrophotometry method (AAS). Throughout the research time, the birds had free access to water and were fed fuli ration diets. Diet composition (Tab. 2) was dependent on ani mai growth rate rełated to bird age. There was applied CargilI commerciał feed. In feed as well as in herbał mix supplied, there were determined minerał contents and the resułts summarized in Tabłe 3 and 4. Table 2 - Tabela 2 Nutritive value of basie rnixtures for turkeys Zawartość podstawowych składników pokarmowych w mieszankach paszowych dla indyków Specification Feed type - Rodzaj paszy Wyszczególnienie Turkey l Turkey 2 Turkey 3 Turkey 4 Turkey 5 Turkey 6 Indyk l Indyk 2 Indyk 3 Indyk 4 Indyk 5 Indyk 6 Total protein (%) 27.50 25.50 23.00 20.00 18.50 17.00 Białko ogólne (%) Crude fibre (%) 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Włókno surowe (%) Crude fat (%) 7.00 6.02 5.70 7.10 9.20 9.60 Tłuszcz surowy (%) ME (kcal/kg) 2800 2870 3000 3170 3220 3280 EM (kcal/kg) Phosphorus asimilable (%) 0.70 0.65 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.40 Fosfor przyswajalny (%) Arginine (%) 1.70 1.60 1.20 1.00 0.90 0.75 Arginina (%) Lysine (%) 1.70 1.60 1.20 1.00 0.90 0.75 Lizyna (%) Tryptophan (%) 0.32 0.23 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.13 Tryptofan (%) Methionine + cystine (%) 1.10 1.05 0.80 0.70 0.65 0.60 Metionina + cystyna (%) Choline (mg/kg) 2200 2000 1600 1100 1100 1100 Cholina (mg/kg) Sodiurn (%) 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 Sód (%) 75

Table 3 - Tabela 3 Content of minerais in mixtures for turkeys (glkg) Zawartość składników mineralnych w mieszankach paszowych dla indyków (glkg) Element Feed type - Rodzaj paszy Pierwiastek Turkey I Turkey 2 Turkey 3 Turkey 4 Turkey 5 Turkey 6 Indyk l Indyk 2 Indyk 3 Indyk 4 Indyk 5 Indyk 6 Ca 5.6300 5.1750 4.6290 4.8000 4.74\0 4.5645 K 5.9615 6.3300 6.5600 4.8355 3.9405 4.2700 Mg 1.0605 1.0345 1.0635 1.0420 1.0390 1.0590 Fe 0.2161 0.2033 0.1714 0.1719 0.1213 0.1031 Mn 0.0106 0.0104 0.0109 0.0139 0.0106 0.0122 Zn 0.0680 0.0760 0.1125 0.1114 0.0879 0.0975 Cu 0.0130 0.0138 0.0187 0.0239 0.0221 0.0232 After the breeding period (17 weeks), al! the birds were slaughtered. Prior to that, the birds underwent the 12h-fasting period. Post-slaughter, randomly chosen birds (6 from each group) we re dissected to assess the weight of breast, thigh and shank musc\es as well as dressing percentage by weighing organ s and tissues.. The obtained numerical data were prepared using the spread sheet ofexcei program, Microsoft Windows software 2003. Then single-factor variance analysis and the Duncan's test were performed in the SPSS 12.0PL statistical software. The following significance levels were assumed: 0.01 and 0.05 (P~O.Ol and P~0.05). Table 4 - Tabela 4 Content of mineral in herbal mixtures for turkeys (mgli) Zawartość składników mineralnych w mieszance ziołowej (mgli) Element Pierwiastek Ca K Na Mg Fe Cu Zn Mn Herbal mixture Mieszanka ziolowa 204.4 46.7 3.50 65.96 1.61 0.22 4.34 1.33 76

Results and discussion Table 5 presents mean body weight of turkeys at each breeding week. In the first week of life, the weight of birds from each gro up was similar. In the third week of fattening, the turkeys with 50 mg Cu/l l H20 copper chelate-supplemented diet (group IV) were the lightest, whereas those from group I and II - the heaviest. This tendency maintained for as long as 14 fattening week and was proven statisticaily in most cases. In the 15 week of fattening, the turkeys from IV group appeared to be some heavier than those from the other groups. Higher by ca 7% slaughter weight was attained by the birds from group II fed supplemental copper-iysine chelate at 30 mg CuJI H20 dose. The birds from the other groups showed lower weight. The recorded average final weight, however, was slightly lower than that presented by Jankowski in the "Nutritional recommendations and nutritive value of feed materials" [14]. Table 5 - Tabela 5 Body weight of turkeys (kg) Masa ciała indyków (kg) Age Group I Group Il Group 1II Group IV (weeks) Grupa I Grupa" Grupa '" Grupa IV Wiek (tyg.) x SD x SD x SD x SD l. 0.059 0.003 0.058 0.006 0.056 0.004 0.054 0.001 2. 0.15 0.029 0.15 0.015 0.14 0.015 0.13 0.018 3. 0.32 0.017 0.32' 0.025 0.28 0.050 0.27" 0.032 4. 0.60 8b 0.030 0.61 8b 0.035 0.53 A " 0.057 0.49 0.053 5. 1.07 8 0.062 1.07 B 0.061 0.98 0.127 0.87 A 0.107 6. 1.58" 0.256 1.68"OCA 0.102 1.37,bd 0.112 1.35 bb 0.167 7. 2.48 A 0.205 2.31 AC 0.197 1.93 B 0.148 1.87 B 0.239 8. 3.22 0.280 3.21 0.319 2.69 0.171 2.58 0.339 9. 4.15 A 0.331 4.17 AC 0.388 3.49 B 0.214 3.37 B 0.445 10. 5.30 0.447 5.27 0.550 4.32 0.226 4.79 1.594 11. 6.34" 0.510 6.39 A 0.648 5.31bB 0.231 5.32 bb 0.736 12. 7.58 Bb 0.788 7.6Z Bh 0.850 6.26' 0.311 6.16 A 0.948 13. 8.80 0.860 8.62 1.155 6.95 0.Z66 6.73 1.192 14. 9.92 A 0.495 9.95"AC 0.559 9.80 8c 0.564 9.06 D 0.719 15. 11.Z6 0.462 11.56 0.749 11.19 1.086 1Z.35 0.888 16. 13.25 0.714 14.23 1.115 13.17 1.115 13.36 1.255 17. 14.23 0.691 15.20 1.1Z5 14.26 1.846 14.26 1.296 A, B - statistically significant differences at P:S;O.Q1- różnice istotne statystycznie przy P:S;O,Ol a, b - statistically significant differences at P:S;O.05- różnice istotne statystycznie przy P:S;O,05 77

The studies of Makarski [9] indicate that the highest weight was also noted in the turkey group pravided with copper chelate dietary additive but at a 3-fold lower dose. Similarly, Miles et al. [12], Guo R. et al. [7] and Aoyagi and Baker [1] did not eonfirm a positive effect of a higher copper eontent on poultry weight gains. In the present research, as late as in 3 final weeks of turkey life, the weight gains of the birds administered raising Cu amount (50 mg Cull H20) praved higher than in the contral, yet lower than group II. The present study findings have confirmed the growth-stirnulating effects of copper for turkeys. Inclusion of 1% herb mix feed additive did not imprave turkey weight gains. Throughout the nearly entire study period, average weight of turkeys from III group (herb supplementation) was lower than the contro!, which was confirmed statistically. Only in the final fattening week, these birds' weight was higher as compared to the control but the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, the researches of Makarski and Polonis [10] did not show significant influence of herbs on turkey weight growth. However, Faruga et al. [4] proved statistically confirmed weight increase of turkeys fed an herb supplemented diet in both, 4 and 18 breeding week. The studies on slaughter chickens [6] did not reveal any effect of herb extract additives (Achillea, Melissa, Hypericum, Urtica) to drinking water on final body weight. Only the birds provided with nettle extract weighed 3.6% more than the contral. In the other researches of these authors [6] chickens fed supplemental dried herbs showed raised weight (by ca 15%) in the first three breeding weeks. Feed intake monitored during the research period (Tab. 6) showed that increased copper supply did not reduce feed intake, either. However, implementation of copper chelate at 30 mg CuJl H20 dos e impraved feed intake per kg of weight but without statistical confirmation. In 7 and 8 breeding week, the peak values of this index were recorded for the turkeys receiving copper chelate at 50 mg Cu/I H20-1.72 kg/kg (7 fattening week) and those with herb mix supplement - 1.98 kg/kg (8 week). The lowest feed intake was observed in birds from group III in 7 week (1.56 kg/kg) and from gra up II in 8 breeding week (1.78 kg/kg). From 11 week until the breeding period completion, the contral group was characterized by the highest feed intake, whereas copper cheiate and herb mix dietary additives have reduced feed consumption level. The differences between the graups were not statistically significant. Beneficial copper impact on feed intake was also confirmed by other authors [l, 7, 11]. Alike the present research, Faruga and Pudyszak [5] and Faruga et al. [4] attributed deciined feed intake per weight gain unit over the entire breeding period to the herbal mixture dietary inciusion. The breeding period was foliowed by slaughter analysis, its findings are presented in Figure 1 and 2. The feed supplements applied did not influence significantly bird dressing percentage and the results complied with those obtained by Jankowski et al. [8] and Bochno et al. [2]. Analysis of carcass muscies (Fig. 2) showed that copper chelate and herb mix dietary additives caused statistical differences solely in breast muscle content, with its highest percentage in the eontrel graup. While the lowest breast muscie level observed in turkeys fed 50 mg Cu/I H20 - additive (24.98%) was lower 78

Table 6 - Tabela 6 Feed conversion (kg) ratio ofturkeys on l kg ofbody weight Zużycie paszy (kg) na l kg masy ciała indyków Age (weeks) Group I Group II Group III Group IV Wiek (tyg.) Grupa I Grupa II Grupa III Grupa IV I. 0.39 0.40 0.45 0.42 2. 0.97 0.90 1.00 0.96 3. 1.25 1.26 1.28 1.30 4. 1.32 1.31 1.30 1.28 5. 1.46 1.38 1.44 1.43 6. 1.46 1.40 1.48 1.50 7. 1.62 ab 1.61ab 1.56" 1.72" 8. 1.80"b 1.78" 1.98 b 1.81nb 9. 1.93 1.92 2.00 1.98 10. 202 1.96" 2. lob 2.I1 b 11. 2.16 2.13 2.11 2.12 12. 2.25 2.25 1.91 1.98 13. 2.35 2.30 2.33 2.32 14. 2.45 2.44 2.43 2.43 15. 2.89 b 2.64" 2.65" 2.81 b 16. 2.74 2.65 2.69 2.70 17. 2.93 2.73 2.81 2.84 than that reported by Faruga and Jankowski [3]. Shank muscle eontent was slightly elevated in turkeys whose diet was improved with copper chelate (group II and IV), whereas thigh muscle percentage was som e lower in the experimental groups than in the control. Similar results were presented by Makarski [9] studying turkey hens, who reported that copper-lysine chelate in slaughter turkeys' diet reduced a breast muscle eontent and increased thigh and shank muscle percentage compared to the contro!. Alike, Schleicher et al. [15] did not find any effect of the aforementioned herbs on elevated breast muscle eontent in slaughter chickens. The present research findings also agree with those reported by Faruga and Pudyszak [5] who noted a decline in breast, shank and thigh muscles eontent in the turkey receiving.vipromix'' herb mix over the entire experimental period. 79

1! 85% 83% 81,68% 81% ------80-56'Yu----------------- '. 80,28% 77% group I grupa I group II grupa II group III grupa III group IV grupa IV j I 1I Fig. l. The result of dissection anajysis (%) of turkeys Rys. l. Wyniki wydajności rzeźnej (%) indyków 30% 25% 20% ~=;---_.._------- I j -, l l! 15% 10% 5% 0% ł./~ ==o!b== group I grupa I group II grupa II group UT grupa UT group IV grupa IV j D brest D shank thigh piersiowe podudzia udowe A, B - statistically significant differences at pg).01 - różnice istotne statystycznie przy l'$0,01 a, b - statistically significant differences at l'$0.05 - różnice istotne statystycznie przy l'$0,05 Fig. 2. The percentage share of muscjes in turkey yield Rys. 2. Procentowy udział mięśni w tuszce 80

Summing up, the following conciusions can be drawn: - copper chelate supplement (30 mg Cull H20 to water) stimulates weight gains and reduces feed intake/kg weight gain; - increased copper eontent did not improve weight or feed conversion rate considerably that advocates using lower copper level; - dietary supplements applied did not affect dressing percentage; - supplementary copper chelate and herb mix in turkeys diet decreased a breast muscie percentage in carcass. REFERENCES 1. AOYAGI S., BAKER D.H., 1993 - Nutritional evaluation of copper-rnethionine complex for chick. Poultry Science 72, 12,2309-2315. 2. BOCHNO R., LEWCZUK A., WA WRO K., 1993 - Próba określenia optymalnego wieku uboju indyków rzeźnych WA W A l. Zeszyty Naukowe Przeglądu Hodowlanego 8, 315-321. 3. FARUGA A., JANKOWSKI J., 1996 - Indyki. Hodowla i użytkowanie. PWRiL, Warszawa. 4. FARUGA A., POLAK M., JĘDRYCZKO R., ŁOWCZAK I., 2003 - Wyniki odchowu i aktywność enzymów surowicy krwi indyków żywionych mieszankami z zawartością flawornycyny lub preparatu ziołowego. Biuletyn Naukowy 22,167-171. 5. FARUGA A., PUDYSZAK K., 1999 - Efektywność odchowu i jakość mięsa indyczek rzeźnych żywionych paszą z dodatkiem ziół. Zeszyty Naukowe Przegladu Hodowlanego 45, 349-357. 6. FRITZ Z., MAJDAŃ SKI F., KINAL S., SCHLEICHER A., 1990 - Zioła jako komponent mieszanek paszowych dla kurcząt brojlerów. COBR Poznan. Zeszyty Naukowe Drobiarstwa 7,31-40. 7. GUO R., HENRY P.R., HOLWERDA R.A., CAO J., LITTELL R.e., MILES R.D., AMMER- MAN e.b., 2001 - Chemical characteristic and relative bioavailability of supplemental organie copper sources for poultry. Iournal oj Animals Science 79, 1132-1141. 8. JANKOWSKI J., ZDUŃCZYK Z., JUSKIEWICZ J., KONCICKI A., 2000 - The response of turkeys to diets containing FAT differing in degree of oxidation. Iournal oj Animals Feeding Science 9, 363-370. 9. MAKARSKI B., 2002 - Wpływ kompleksu chelatowego miedzi z lizyną oraz fitazy na reakcje biologiczne indyków. Rozprawy Naukowe AR w Lublinie 256. 10. MAKARSKI B., POLONIS A., 2001 - Effect of biopleks Cu on the level of biochemical indices of turkey blood. Polisb Iournal oj Nutrition Science 10/51, l, 49-51. 11. MAKARSKI B., POLONIS A., CZECH A., SEMBRATOWICZ r., 2002 - Wpływ miedzi pochodzącej ze związków nieorganicznych i chelatów na wskaźniki krwi i wyniki produkcyjne indyków. Annales UMCS, sec. EE, 41, 287-293. 12. MILES R.D., O'KEEFE S.F., HENRY P.R., AMMERMAN c.n.. LUO X.G., 1998 - The effect of dietary supplementation with copper sulfate or tri basie copper chloride on broiler performance, relative copper bioavailability and dietary prooxidant activity. Poultry Science 77,416-425. 13. National Research Council (NRC), 1994 - Nutritional requirements of poultry. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, De. 14. Praca zbiorowa (red. S. Smulikowska, A. Rutkowski), 2005 - Zalecenia żywieniowe i wartość pokarmowa pasz. Normy żywienia drobiu. PAN, Warszawa. 81

15. SCHLEICHER A., FRTZ Z., KINAL S., 1998 - Zastosowanie wybranych ziół w mieszankach treściwych dla kurcząt rzeźnych. Rocz. Nauk. Zoot. 25, 3, 213-224. 16. SWIĄ TKIEWICZ S., 2001 - Zastosowanie organicznej formy cynku w żywieniu kurcząt brojlerów. Polskie Drobiarstwo 1,45-47. 82