Effect of dietary Fe to Cu ratios on hematological and growth responses of broiler chickens
McNaughton, J.L.; Day, E.J.
Journal of Nutrition 109(4): 559-564
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 430259 Document Number: 149700
A total of 2640 cockerels of a broiler strain were studied in 3 experiments on interrelations between requirements for iron and copper of chickens 1 to 21 days old. In each experiment a starch non-fat milk basal diet was given in battery brooders beginning at 1 day old. Maximum Hb value and packed cell volume (PCV) of chickens 21 days old were with Fe 80 and Cu 8 mg/kg diet from 1 to 21 days of age. The heaviest 21-day old chicks were found with Fe 80 mg/kg diet. There were differences among experiments in the Cu requirement based on bodyweight. The Cu requirement ranged from 8 to 16 mg/kg diet as indicated by weight at 21 days. A 10:1 Fe:Cu ratio with Fe 80 mg/kg seemed to give greatest Hb value and PCV at 21 days, but 5:1 ratio gave heavier weight at 21 days than 10, 15 or 20:1.