Enhancement of ferrous sulfate absorption using nano-technology in broiler chickens

•Iron supplementation in different doses and sources did not affect growth performance.•Dietary nano-ferrous sulfate increased the counts of red blood cells in the first phase, but not the second phase of growth.•The nano-process increased the concentration of Fe in blood compared with common ferrous sulfate.•The nano-process reduced the Fe excretion compared with common ferrous sulfate.•The concentration of Fe was increased in the liver by increasing dietary supplementation of Fe.