Dietary Vitamin and/or Trace Mineral Premix Effects on Performance, Humoral Mediated Immunity, and Carcass Composition of Broilers During Thermoneutral and High Ambient Temperature Distress

Abstract

Vitamin (V), trace mineral (TM), and vitamin plus trace mineral (V+TM) dietary withdrawal effect on 28-49 day production variables, carcass composition, and immune function were evaluated in male broilers exposed to thermoneutral (24°C) and heat distress (24-35°C) environments. Averaged over diet, heat distress (HD) reduced (P < .05) all performance variables except abdominal fat pad and dressing percentage, which were increased (P < .05). Combined V + TM withdrawal reduced (P < .05) gain and feed efficiency when averaged over environment. Trace mineral removal along was without consequence, while birds fed diets lacking V exhibited reduced (P < .05) weight gain, feed efficiency, survivability, specific gravity, and breast yield. Antibody production was not influenced (P>.1) by either environment or nutrient withdrawal.