The Impact of Mineral Levels and Sources on Necrotic Enteritis Pathogenesis in Broilers

Abstract

This dissertation’s objective was to evaluate the influence of minerals (level and source) to determine their influence on necrotic enteritis (NE) pathogenesis and broiler performance, following a coccidia vaccine. Three experiments were conducted. The first experiment was to determine the impact of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) on the pathogenesis of NE. The second experiment was to evaluate the effects of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) supplementation on NE pathogenesis and performance. The third experiment was to determine the influence of Mn, Cu, and Zn supplementation on NE pathogenesis, performance, and environmental sustainability. In experiment one, there was a two-way interaction between Ca source and Ca level throughout the trial (d 0-30). Feeding Ca source, CalMin, resulted in the most significant performance losses, specifically when Ca was fed at the higher inclusion level. Birds fed CalMin at the higher Ca inclusion level resulted in reduced average body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake, as well as an increased feed conversion ratio and percent mortality when compared to all other dietary treatments. In the second experiment, there was a two-way interaction between mineral premix and phytase level throughout the trial (d 0-31). Feeding birds an all-inorganic diet or combination of inorganic and organic mineral diet at the lower phytase level (500 FTU/kg) resulted in the lowest d 0-14 body weight and body weight gain, as well as the lowest d 15-31 and d 0-31 feed intake. Birds saw improvements in performance when fed an all-organic diet (regardless of phytase level) and when the all-inorganic diet and combination of inorganic and organic mineral diet was super dosed with phytase (1500 FTU/kg). The third experiment exhibited improvements in performance for all mineral premixes when phytase was super dosed (1500 FTU/kg). Broilers fed an all-organic diet when super dosed with phytase had the most efficient d 0-15, d 31-42, and d 0-42 feed conversion ratio. Birds fed an all-organic diet resulted in a significantly lower Mn concentration in the fecal and litter samples. However, birds fed the combination of inorganic and organic minerals, or an all-organic diet resulted in significantly lower Cu and Zn concentrations in the fecal and litter samples. Research needs to be conducted to better understand how Clostridium perfringens can lead to NE as it continues to negatively impact the poultry industry. Minerals, specifically source and inclusion level should also be investigated. Learning more about the influence of these bacterial strains and how diet can aid in mitigating NE is crucial in improving animal welfare and preventing economic losses.