Investigating the effect of using graded doses of premix in feed formulation on the concentration of heavy metals in edible poultry products and litter.

Abstract This study was aimed at determining the concentration of heavy metals in the feed, edible organs and litter of laying birds experimentally fed with feeds formulated with graded doses of premix. A 35 weeks experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of using graded doses of feed premix on the concentration of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in poultry feed, edible poultry product and litter. Eighty day old birds were purchased and randomly allocated into four groups. The experimental feeds were formulated to contain 0.125 (control), 0.094, 0.063 and 0.031g of feed premix. From each group, 3 birds were sacrificed at weeks 6, 23 and 35. The feed, liver, kidney, gizzard, muscles and litter samples from each group was analysed for the concentrations of Pb and Cd using a Buck Scientific Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Though graded doses of premix was used, the feed samples still had detectable concentrations of Cd and Pb that were above the maximum permissible limits (MPL) in groups A, B, C and D. At 6 weeks, it was observed that group D had concentrations of Cd in the feed and edible poultry samples that were above the MPL while at 23 and 35 weeks group B had feed and edible poultry samples that were above MPL for Cd. The egg samples had concentrations of Cd above the MPL in group B at 35 weeks. For Pb, most of the groups had 100% of the samples above the MPL for Pb. The litter in group A and B had more heavy metal contents than groups C and D. Poultry production should be closely monitored to ensure that only safe and wholesome products are distributed for human consumption.