Evaluation of potentiated zinc oxide as a source of zinc in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to test the effects of supplemental potentiated zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, relative organ weight, breast muscle quality, zinc (Zn) status, intestinal microbial shedding, and excreta microbial shedding in broilers. A total of 680 1-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design, including basal diets supplemented 0, 50, 75, or 100 mg/kg Zn from potentiated ZnO. During days 1-7, 8-21, and 1-35, increasing dietary potentiated ZnO resulted in increased (linear, P