Reproductive Performance and Immune Status of Caged Broiler Breeder Hens Provided Diets Supplemented with Either Inorganic or Organic Sources of Zinc from Hatching to 65 wk of Age

In short-term studies, organic sources of supplemental zinc in broiler breeder hen diets have produced inconsistent results regarding reproductive performance and immune status. Furthermore, there are limited data addressing the long-term effects of dietary zinc source on broiler breeder hen performance. This study examined reproductive and immune responses of caged broiler breeder hens provided diets supplemented with 160 ppm zinc from either ZnSO4 (control), AvailaZn zinc-amino acid complex (ZnAA), or a mixture of ZnAA and ZnSO4 (80 ppm zinc from each) from hatching to 65 wk of age. Egg specific gravity, settable egg production, and estimated chick production were optimized when hens were provided diets that were supplemented with zinc from a mixture of ZnAA and ZnSO4. Immune response to phytohemagglutinin-P and antibody titers to Newcastle disease virus were increased with birds given diets supplemented with 160 ppm zinc from ZnAA. Generally, supplementing diets with a combination of ZnAA and ZnSO4 resulted in superior reproductive performance of caged broiler breeder hens, while supplementing with ZnAA enhanced immune status of hens.