Organic zinc and vitamin E supplementation for broiler chickens under natural heat stress conditions

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the supplementation of organic zinc and vitamin E, isolated or in association, in the diet of broiler chickens from 22 to 42 days of age, under natural conditions of heat stress, on the productive performance, carcass, noble cuts, and abdominal fat yield. A group of 720 birds was housed at 22 days of age, distributed in random blocks with a 2x3 factorial design, with two levels of zinc in the organic form (0.0 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg), associated with three levels of vitamin E in the form of DL-α-tocopherol acetate (0.0 mg/kg; 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg), with six replicates, and 20 birds per box. In natural conditions of heat stress, the association of organic zinc and vitamin E in the diet of broilers from 22 to 42 days of age did not affect the productive performance, carcass, noble cuts, and abdominal fat yield. In an isolated way, the supplementation of vitamin E improved the productive performance in from 22 to 33 days of age. Moreover, in the period of 22 to 42 days of age, the level of 312.5 mg/kg of vitamin E provided better creative viability.