Selenium supplementation affects broiler growth performance, meat yield and feather coverage

1. Selenium (Se) is an essential part of numerous selenoprotems, most of which are involved in the antioxidant system of the body. It is also required by poultry for the maintenance of optimal health and meat quality. This paper reports data from a study examining the effect of dietary source and concentration of selenium on broiler performance and meat quality. 2. Increased dietary selenium content markedly reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) as a result of significantly lower feed intakes of birds while maintaining the same weight gains. 3. Selenium supplementation increased feathering, with organic selenium (selenised yeast) being superior to inorganic selenium (sodium selenite). 4. Birds receiving organic selenium in their diets had improved eviscerated weight, breast yield and reduced drip loss. 5. There were significant concentration x source interactions on yields of breasts and marylands (thigh plus drumstick), with elevated levels of organic selenium increasing the yields, whereas the opposite was true for the inorganic selenium.