HEAL ▶▶▶TH
On day 42, two chicks per pen were scored for footpad lesions. These chicks were then sacrificed for necropsy and the left leg was scored for abnormalities and tibia strength.
Organic minerals promote broiler leg quality
In broilers, leg problems can lead to reduced health and animal welfare, but also to higher mortality and lower processing yields. Preventing leg problems is therefore of great importance for both the bird and the broiler farmer.
BY HENRY VAN DEN BRAND, BAHADIR CAN GÜZ, ROOS MOLENAAR, INGRID DE JONG, WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH
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ne of the factors that plays a major role in the de- velopment of the leg bones, and thus the outlook for the prevention of leg problems in later life, is nutrition. Minerals, in particular, play an impor-
tant role in the formation of the bones. Because broilers have a rapid growth rate and are slaughtered at a relatively young age, it is important that the tibia bone develops quickly.
▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 8, 2021
Therefore, the availability of minerals from the diet also needs to be high. Mineral sources can be divided into macro miner- als (calcium and phosphorus) and trace elements (e.g. iron, copper, zinc, manganese and selenium). All these minerals come from natural sources, usually in the form of salts. These are called inorganic minerals and most broiler diets include these inorganic minerals. However, minerals can also be at- tached to a protein or amino acid and are then called organic minerals. Organic minerals are absorbed faster and better in the broiler gut than inorganic minerals. This ensures greater
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