The effect of iodine in production of broiler chickens and selected quality indicators of breast muscles
Authors: Angelovičová Mária , Semivanová Marieta 
Published: July 2013

Due to the different effects on the human health it is necessary to avoid excessive or insufficient consumption of iodine. Iodine deficiency weakens the synthesis of the thyroid hormones, causes hypothyroidism and can lead to various developmental and functional disturbances known as the disorders from iodine deficiency. The latest literary knowledge about the use of iodine in the broiler chickens identifies the concentration of iodine 5 mg per kg feed as safe for a given group of the animals. Working Group on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed of  Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed notes that the maximum authorized limit of iodine in the feed of the broiler chickens 10 mg per kg does not represent a health risk. The aim of our research was an observation and assessment of the effect of feed mixtures with iodized oil on production quality of the line hybrid chickens Cobb 500 and selected indicators of breast muscle. For comparison, a control group consists of the chickens, which were fed the feed mixtures without iodized oil. Dietary iodine in the form of potassium iodide was applied to sunflower oil. The mixture was heated at 70 °C with continuous stirring until dissolution of potassium iodide. The content of iodine in iodine suplement was 0.04  mg per g per 1 kg of feed mixture of starter, growth and the finisher was used 5 g of iodine supplement. The oil mixture was mixed into kibbled grain of corn and carefully homogenized with other components of  the feed mixtures. To meet the aim of research, we realized an experiment, where body weight of the chickens was observed at the end of the experiment, the breast muscle weight and chemical analysis was made from selected indicators of breast muscle. A body weight of broiler chickens at the beginning and the end of the experiment and a breast muscle weight were observed by weighing on the Kern ECB 20K20 type scale with an accuracy of d = 0,1 g. The breast muscles were analyzed for selected indicators according to the methodology for analytical laboratories (2009). The data were evaluated according to the basic statistical characteristics. The differences in the values of indicators between groups were evaluated by the SAS system program by t-test. The broiler chickens that were included in the experiment were first grade with a balanced average weight of 42 g. Statistical evaluation   of body weight of the broiler chickens at the beginning of the experiment results in not significant difference between the control group and the experimental group – iodine supplement. Average body weight of the chickens was 2183.06 g at end of experiment in the group with the addition of iodine compared to 2145.21 g in control group with a statistically not significant difference (P>0.05). Average weight of the breast muscles was 426.83 g in the group with the addition of iodine compared to 412.11 g in control group with a statistically not significant difference (P>0.05). Average dry matter content    in the breast muscles was 26.13 g per 100 g in the group with the addition of iodine compared to 26.25 g per 100 g in control group with a statistically not significant difference (P>0.05). Average protein contents in breast muscles was 23.63 g per 100 g in the group with the addition of iodine compared to 23.31 g per 100 g in control group with a statistically not significant difference (P>0.05). Average fat contents in breast muscles was 1.05 g per 100 g in the group with the addition of iodine compared to 0.88 g per 100 gin control group with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The results of the experiment indicated some tendency of the positive effect of the feed mixtures with iodized oil on the quality of production of broiler chickens. Based on results, further research was recommended.