Abstract
The importance of zinc (Zn) in broiler chicken nutrition is gaining attention due to the realization of its role in several enzymes and metabolic functions. This meta-analysis, therefore, aimed to synthesize pooled evidence on the effectiveness of Zn supplementation on enhancing feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily gain (ADG) in broiler chickens. Thirty-seven peer-reviewed studies out of 436 identified from the search carried out in Scopus, Google Scholar and PubMed databases met the criteria for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Data were pooled and then disaggregated for moderators: broiler strains, sources of Zn, duration of Zn supplementation and Zn supplementation levels. All the analyses were conducted in Open Meta-analyst for Ecology and Evolution (OpenMEE) software. Pooled results indicate that Zn supplementation increased feed intake [standardised mean differences (SMD) = 0.34 g/bird/day; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27, 0.42)] and ADG (SMD = 0.43 g/bird/day; 95% CI 0.35, 0.50) in broiler chickens in comparison with the controls. Dietary Zn supplementation improves FCR (SMD = − 0.16 g/g; 95% CI 0.20, − 0.11), taking heterogeneity and publication biases into account. Restricted subanalysis showed that studied moderators influenced the outcomes of the meta-analysis. Meta-regression revealed that moderators explain about 38% of the sources of variations in the present study. This meta-analysis suggests that dietary zinc supplementation had a positive effect on growth performance indices in broiler chickens.
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Ogbuewu, I.P., Modisaojang-Mojanaga, M.M.C., Mokolopi, B.G. et al. A Meta-analysis of Responses of Broiler Chickens to Dietary Zinc Supplementation: Feed Intake, Feed Conversion Ratio and Average Daily Gain. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 2491–2502 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03320-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03320-5