ORIGINAL PAPER
Copper balance, bone mineralization and the growth
performance of turkeys fed diet with two types of
Cu supplements
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1
Warmia and Mazury University, Department of Poultry Science,
Oczapowskiego 5, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
2
Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences,
Tuwima 10, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland
Publication date: 2009-11-06
Corresponding author
D. Mikulski
Warmia and Mazury University, Department of Poultry Science,
Oczapowskiego 5, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2009;18(4):677-688
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to examine the effect supplementation of diet with 20 mg Cu/kg
from copper sulphate (Cu-SUL) and/or copper amino acid chelate (Cu-AA) on the copper balance,
bone mineralization status and growth performance of turkeys. A total of 840 one-day-old heavy
Large White BIG-6 turkey males were randomly assigned to 4 groups: Cu-0, Cu-SUL, Cu-SUL/
Cu-AA and Cu-AA. The results of the present study confirm the Cu-requirements for growing/
fattening turkeys given by scientific bodies (e.g., NRC, INRA, GfE). The Cu unsupplemented
basal diet contained 11.3 mg Cu/kg is enough for turkeys and further Cu-supplementations are not
necessary. Further supplementations from inorganic and/or organic sources did not significantly
improve turkeys performance and health. Plasma superoxide dismutase activity, physico-chemical
properties of bone and the concentrations of Ca and P in the tibial bone were generally not affected
by dietary treatment. Further Cu supplementation from inorganic and/or organic sources increase
the Cu-excretion (from 808 to 1915-2164 mg per animal) and may cause additional environmental
problems.
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