Progeny performance when dams and chicks are fed supplemental zinc.

Three consecutive trials involving approximately 700 to 800 broilers (0 to 28 days) were conducted to examine effects on growth and immunity of chicks after supplementing dams with inorganic Zn versus organic Zn. Offspring from hens fed a basal diet (72 mg Zn/kg) or diets with 152 mg Zn/kg supplemented with ZnO or organic Zn-Met were randomized across four battery brooders. Chicks were fed a starter diet without supplemental Zn containing 100 mg Zn/kg or diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg Zn from ZnO and DL-Met or Zn-Met containing 140 mg Zn/kg. No differences among treatments (P greater than .05) were found in feed conversion or average BW. Supplemental Zn-Met in hen diet increased (P less than .06) cellular immune response in progeny. Embryonic bone weights were higher (P less than .05) in progeny when dams were fed Zn-Met. Zinc as Zn-Met in diets of dams and progeny enhanced primary antibody titers to Salmonella pullorum antigen.