Effects of Different Levels of Selenium Supplements on Growth Performance and Immune Response of Broiler Chicken in Hot Humid Climatic Condition

Abstract

A total of 120 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were reared in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Dhaka. The present study was designed to evaluate the growth performance and immune response of commercial broiler chicks fed diet containing Selenium Powder in hot humid climatic condition. Chicks were divided randomly into 4 experimental groups of 3 replicates (10 chicks with each replications). One of the 4 experimental group was fed diet as control while, the remaining three groups were fed diet with 3 levels of Se (0.1g Se/kg feed, 0.3g Se/kg feed and 0.5g Se/kg feed). The results showed that average live weight and live weight gain was significant (P<0.05) in comparison to others. Though best live weight and live weight gain was found at 0.5g/kg Se concentration but it was very close with control group. The feed consumption and FCR were not influence significantly by the dietary inclusion of Se as compared to control group. The highest FCR was in 0.1g Se/Kg feed and lowest was in control. However, a linear increase in feed consumption has found with the increase in Se concentration in the diet. Birds fed 0.5g Se/kg feed diets achieved superior feed consumption compared to those of the control group. The relative weight of carcass parts, giblet organ and dressing percent of different groups showed that there was significant (P<0.05) difference between the groups. The superior dressing percentage and carcass parts were found in 0.3g Se/kg feed concentration. In addition, the present study showed that feeding dietary Se had no significant (P>0.05) effects on survivability and uniformity among the treatments though there was no mortality in treatments group. The results of hematological studies as well as immune response showed no significant (P>0.05) differences due to supplementation of Se. Analyzing the above findings it can be concluded that Selenium don’t hamper growth performance and immunity of broiler therefore it can be use with feed for human health benefit. Because the residual Selenium has a positive impact on human health as Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human