Impact of feeding broiler breeders hydroxychloride trace minerals on lifetime reproductivity and subsequent impact on chick quality and growth performance

Lead Applicant: Elijah Kiarie

Research Priority: Animal Health & Welfare Projects

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2022/2023

Research Centre: Ontario Poultry Research Centre - Arkell

Research Summary: Alternative production strategies are the focus of actions to reduce antibiotic use and the environmental impact of animal operations. Chick quality is a major factor determining broiler chicken livability and growth performance through to slaughter. Trace minerals in the skeleton at hatch play a crucial role in setting the young chick up for a healthy and productive life. This research will investigate the impact of highly bioavailable hydroxy chloride copper, zinc and manganese on the lifetime reproductive performance of broiler breeders and the subsequent impact on progeny growth performance and skeletal development.