Authors : Farshid Kheiri and Majid Toghyani
Abstract: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of chromium chloride on performance and immune responses of broiler chicks. Three hundred and one days old broilers (Ross 308) were allocated to five treatments with four replicates in a completely randomized design. Treatments supplemented with 0 (control), 400, 800, 1200 or 1600 μg kg-1 chromium in the form of chromium chloride. Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion were measured in different periods. At 18 and 28 days serum antibody titres against newcastle and influenza virus were determined. At 42 days, heterophil to lymphocyte and albumin to globulin ratios were measured. Lymphoid organs and carcass traits were measured at 42 days. Body weight improved significantly (p<0.05) in broilers fed 1600 μg kg-1 supplemental chromium. Feed intake, feed conversion, lymphoid organs and carcass traits (except of carcass yield) were not affected by supplemental chromium (p>0.05). Antibody titres against newcastle virus in broilers received 1600 μg kg-1 chromium supplementation were elevated (p<0.05). Heterophil to lymphocyte and albumin to globulin ratios were not affected by dietary chromium (p>0.05). The results of this experiment indicated that chromium supplementation improved body weight, carcass yield and antibody titre against Newcastle virus in broiler chicks.
Farshid Kheiri and Majid Toghyani, 2009. Effect of Different Levels of Inorganic Chromium on Performance and Immunity of Broiler Chicks. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 1819-1823.