Effect of phytase and chelated minerals on performance and indicators of bone mineralization in broilers

SUMMARY The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of phytase and chelated minerals on performance, organs weight and bone mineralization indicators in broiler chickens. 240 male broiler chicken (Cobb 500) were evaluated in three experimental treatments (Basal diet, Basal diet + phytases and with Basal diet + chelated minerals) with 4 replicates (20 birds per replicate). The study was divided into three phases: start, growth and finisher. At the end of each phase, autopsies were performed to weigh the gastrointestinal organs and to evaluate indicators of bone mineralization of the left tibias. Significant differences (p <0.05) were found in the productive performance of chickens in favor of phytase treatment, except in feed intake (p > 0.05). Compared to control animals, the birds with phytase showed a significantly lower relative weight of the pancreas (p <0.05) and a statistically (p <0.05) greater intestine weight. Finally, at 42 days of age, statistical differences were observed in bone density (p < 0.05) and the Seedor index (p < 0.05) in favor of birds supplemented with phytase. Phytase supplementation improved the productive performance, reduced the weight of the pancreas and increased the weight of the intestine, and also increased bone mineralization, being more efficient than chelated minerals with respect to these variables.