Evaluation of performance parameters, internal organ weights and some immune responses of broiler chicks through iron sulfate supplementation during different feeding periods

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of iron (0, 40, and 80 mg/kg) with iron sulfate source (FeSO4) on performance, internal organ weights and immune response of boiler chicks in periods of whole production (w: 1-42 days of age), grower and finisher (GF: 11-42 day of age) and finisher (F: 25-42 day of age) using a 3×3 factorial experiment. The results showed that the utilization of 80 mg/kg FeSO4 significantly (P<0.05) decreased daily feed intake of broilers during T period. The addition of 40 mg/kg FeSO4 into the diet significantly decreased the relative weights of jejunum, ileum and whole intestine (P<0.05). The relative weight of bursa of Fabricius was higher in chicks fed 40 mg/kg FeSO4 supplement in F period as compared to birds fed control diet (P<0.05). The positive effects was observed on blood monocytes in chicks fed diet containing FeSO4 supplement during F period compared to T period (P<0.05). Furthermore, the inclusion of 40 and 80 mg FeSO4/kg diet linearly (P<0.01) increased blood lymphocytes percentage of broilers. According to the results of this experiment, it seems that the utilization of 40 and 80 mg/kg FeSO4 can improve carcass quality by reduction of small intestine weight and have beneficial effects on immunological responses of broiler chicks especially during F period.