Effects of Removal of Vitamin and Trace Mineral Supplements from Grower and Finisher Diets on Live Performance and Carcass Composition of Broilers

Abstract

Removal of supplemental vitamins, trace minerals, or both from the diet of broilers that received complete supplementation until 42 days of age had no significant (P>. 05) effect on weight gain or feed utilization from 42 to 49 days, or on carcass characteristics at processing. There were no indications of any increase in visible leg disorders. In additional studies with broilers grown to 49 days of age, removal of vitamins and trace minerals from diets fed during the last 7, 14, or 21 days had no adverse effects on weight gain, feed utilization, incidence of leg disorders, or carcass characteristics in processing. Removal of vitamin and trace mineral supplements in finisher diets fed 5 to 7 days prior to slaughter could reduce growing costs without affecting performance adversely, and could provide an adequate margin of safety if withdrawal times are extended.