The Effect of Different Sources of Selenium and Microencapsulation of Selenium on Fertility and Hatching Traits in Arbor Acres Broiler Breeder

This research was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary selenium (Se) sources on hatchability traits in commercial female broiler breeders. The experimental treatment diets were: control (basal diet, none-selenium), basal diet + 0.5 mg sodium selenite (SS), basal diet + 0.5 mg Selenomethionine (S-Meth) and basal diet + 0.5 mg microencapsulated selenium (MS-Met) per kg diet. The total of 100 female and 20 roosters broiler breeder (Arbor Acres® Plus, 38 weeks of age) were considered for present experiment. Semen was collected from roosters by using abdominal massage. Incubation parameters (fertility, hatching, hatch of fertile egg, embryonic mortality, and A-grade chick) were evaluated at 44wk (younger) and 54wk (older) of age. The results indicated that the birds fed an organic sources of selenium (MS-Meth, S-Meth) the percentage of fertility and hatchability was increased (P<0.05) compared to inorganic selenium (SS) and the highest result were obtained in the birds received M-S-Meth diet. Also, the results indicated that embryonic mortality was reduced (P<0.05) in birds fed Se supplemented diet. In conclusion, the use of organic selenium supplementation in diet of could be recommended for improving of hatchability traits in commercial broiler breeders.