Effect of dietary supplementation of ferrous sulphate on growth, immunocompetence traits, carcass quality and meat composition of Turkey poults

Inorganic iron compounds have a positive effect on the health and growth of the broiler chickens. However, limited work has been done in Turkeys. Thus a study was conducted to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of ferrous sulphate on the growth, immunocompetence traits, carcass quality and meat composition of Turkey poults.

Day old turkey poults (n=96) were distributed into four treatment groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) having 3 replicates of 8 birds each. The poults in T1 were fed (control) basal diet, while for birds in T2, T3 and T4, FeSO₄ was supplemented @ 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg of feed, respectively.

Weekly body weight gain was significantly higher in T4 than T1 and T2 birds at 6^th (P<0.01) and 7^th week (P<0.05). Phase wise body weight gain was also significantly higher (P<0.05) in T4 than T1 and T2 during 4 to 8 weeks and 0 to 8 weeks (P<0.01). Weekly feed conversion ratio of T4 group was significantly better (P<0.01) at 6^th week and 7^th week than T1 and T2 group birds. The birds fed with T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher foot web index compared to T1 and T2 group birds. Iron supplemented groups had significantly (P<0.01) higher dressing per cent. T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher deposition of iron in thigh muscle. Thus, dietary supplementation of FeSO₄ @ 160 mg/kg resulted in better growth performance, immunity, significantly higher dressing per cent and significantly higher deposition of iron in thigh meat cuts.