Supplementation of Fe-methionine and Zn-methionine chelate on growth performance and blood biochemical parameters of Japanese quails

The effect of Fe-methionine and Zn-methionine supplementation on growth performance, blood-biochemical parameters and serum mineral concentration was carried out in a total of 600 day old Japanese quail chicks allotted to five treatment groups (T₁ to T₅) of 120 chicks each. The treatments were further subdivided equally into four replicates consisting of 30 birds. Control diet (T₁) was formulated by incorporating inorganic iron (FeSO₄) and zinc (ZnSO₄) according to NRC (1994) specifications. For each of the treatments, inorganic Fe and Zn of the control diet were replaced by organic Fe (Fe-methionine) and Zn (Zn-methionine) at recommended level (T₂), twice (T₃), thrice (T₄) and four (T₅) times of the NRC (1994) recommendations. All the five experimental diets were iso-nitrogenous (24% CP) and isocaloric (2900 Kcal/kg ME). Cumulative body weight gain during the experimental span of six weeks was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₅ compared to control group. However, cumulative feed intake and FCR remained non-significant among all the treatment groups. The hemoglobin (%) and PCV (%) were highest (P<0.05) in higher level of Fe-methionine and Zn-methionine supplemented groups (T₅) and RBC count was highest in T₄ group. Total protein (g/dl), cholesterol and glucose (mg/dl) concentration in serum were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₄ group. The albumin (g/dl) concentration was lowest (P<0.05) in birds fed with control diet than other dietary groups. Zn (mg/dl) content in the serum was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₃ Fe (mg/dl), Ca (mg/dl) and P (mg/dl) in T₄ Mg (mg/dl) in T₅ groups. The relative bioavailability value (RBV) of Fe and Zn from Fe-methionine and Zn-methionine determined from tibia iron and zinc concentrations was 130% and 139% assuming the RBV 100 per cent for Fe and Zn from inorganic sources. The study revealed that supplementation of Fe-methionine and Znmethionine up to three times of NRC (1994) recommendations have beneficial effect on growth performance and minerals utilization in Japanese quails.