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Vitamin E and selenium in broiler breeder diets: Effect on live performance, hatching process, and chick quality
U R A Urso1, F Dahlke2, A Maiorka3
1Brasil Foods - Rua Mauá 920, 12º andar, Curitiba, PR, Brazil 80030-200.
Poultry Science
|February 26, 2015
Summary
Dietary vitamin E and selenium supplementation improved broiler breeder egg quality and hatchability. Organic selenium and higher vitamin E levels enhanced egg weight, albumen, and hatchling weight, benefiting breeder performance.
Area of Science:
- Poultry Science
- Animal Nutrition
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Broiler breeder nutrition is critical for optimal reproductive performance and offspring quality.
- Vitamin E and selenium are essential antioxidants influencing poultry health and productivity.
- Understanding the synergistic effects of different vitamin E levels and selenium sources is vital for feed formulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of varying dietary vitamin E levels and selenium sources on broiler breeder productivity and reproductive outcomes.
- To determine the optimal combination of vitamin E and selenium for enhancing egg characteristics and hatchability.
- To assess the influence on hatchling quality and incubation parameters.
Main Methods:
- A completely randomized experimental design with a factorial arrangement of treatments was employed.
- 640 female and 64 male broiler breeders (22-52 weeks old) were assigned to diets with 2 vitamin E levels (30 vs. 120 mg/kg) and 2 selenium sources (sodium selenite vs. zinc-L-selenomethionine).
- Evaluated parameters included egg production, egg characteristics, fertility, incubation responses, and hatchling traits.
Main Results:
- No significant effects of vitamin E or selenium sources on overall egg production were observed.
- Broiler breeders fed zinc-L-selenomethionine and 120 mg/kg vitamin E produced heavier eggs and albumen.
- Higher vitamin E levels (120 mg/kg) improved hatchability at 29 weeks, while organic selenium increased hatchling weight until peak production.
Conclusions:
- Dietary supplementation with zinc-L-selenomethionine and 120 mg/kg vitamin E can enhance egg characteristics and incubation response in broiler breeders.
- Organic selenium sources may offer benefits for hatchling weight, particularly during early production stages.
- Optimized vitamin E and selenium nutrition is key for improving broiler breeder reproductive efficiency.
