Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Ferrous Sulphate on Growth, Immunocompetence Traits, Carcass Quality and Meat Composition of Turkey Poults

Background: 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. Methods: 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 inT1 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. Result: Weekly body weight gain was significantly higher in T4 than T1 and T2 birds at 6th (P less than 0.01) and 7th week (P less than 0.05). Phase wise body weight gain was also significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T4 than T1 and T2 during 4 to 8 weeks and 0 to 8 weeks (P less than 0.01). Weekly feed conversion ratio of T4 group was significantly better (P less than 0.01) at 6th week and 7th week than T1 and T2 group birds. The birds fed with T4 had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher foot web index compared to T1 and T2 group birds. Iron supplemented groups had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher dressing per cent. T4 had significantly (P less than 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.