Copper balance, bone mineralization and the growth performance of turkeys fed diet with two types of Cu supplements

The aim of this study was to examine the effect supplementation of diet with 20 mg Cu/kg from copper sulphate (Cu-SUL) and/or copper amino acid chelate (Cu-AA) on the copper balance, bone mineralization status and growth performance of turkeys. A total of 840 one-day-old heavy Large White BIG-6 turkey males were randomly assigned to 4 groups: Cu-0, Cu-SUL, Cu-SUL/ Cu-AA and Cu-AA. The results of the present study confirm the Cu-requirements for growing/ fattening turkeys given by scientific bodies (e.g., NRC, INRA, GfE). The Cu unsupplemented basal diet contained 11.3 mg Cu/kg is enough for turkeys and further Cu-supplementations are not necessary. Further supplementations from inorganic and/or organic sources did not significantly improve turkeys performance and health. Plasma superoxide dismutase activity, physico-chemical properties of bone and the concentrations of Ca and P in the tibial bone were generally not affected by dietary treatment. Further Cu supplementation from inorganic and/or organic sources increase the Cu-excretion (from 808 to 1915-2164 mg per animal) and may cause additional environmental problems.