The Effect of Chromium Propionate on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits in Broilers

Abstract

Chromium has been considered by many nutritionists as an essential nutrient for animals and humans. Research on the use of Cr from organic sources in poultry is limited. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary addition of 0, 200, 400, or 800 ppb Cr as chromium propionate on growth performance and carcass traits in 0- to 42- or 0- to 49-d-old broilers. The results of these experiments indicate that Cr as chromium propionate improved feed efficiency in the later phases of growth and decreased mortality in one experiment but not another. Also, chromium propionate supplementation had no effect on carcass traits.