L-selenomethionine in broiler breeder and broiler nutrition

At 35 days, birds receiving T1 continued with a higher body weight compared to the other three treatments (P = 0.0001).

At the end of the trial, day 42, birds receiving T1 still showed significantly (P = 0.0001) higher body weights compared to T2 and T4.

Lower drip loss percentages (see Table 1) were observed in the treatments that received organic selenium in the broiler diets.

It was shown that meat from birds receiving T1 (org/org) and T2 (inorg/org) had significantly lower drip loss percentages compared to meat from birds receiving T4 (inorg/in-org).

Selenium deposition was shown to be numerically higher for the treatments receiving organic selenium in the offspring diets. 

L-selenomethionine improves performance in broilers 

The second study aimed to investigate the effects of l-selenomethionine on improving performance in broilers, while increasing stocking density.

This trial included 1630 broiler chickens (Ross 308), divided over six treatments, five pens per treatment.

Treatments included a negative control with sodium selenite (0.3mg Se/kg feed) and a treatment group with l-selenomethionine (Excential Selenium 4000 by Orffa Additives) (0.3mg Se/kg feed).

The two treatments were applied for three different stocking densities - standard stocking density (50 birds/pen or 29.84kg/sq m), + 10 percent stocking density (55 birds/pen or 32.84kg/sq m) and + 16 percent stocking density (58 birds/pen or 34.63kg/sq m).

The birds were all fed the same corn and soybean meal-based pelleted diet, with the only difference being the type of selenium.

The trial lasted 35 days and production parameters were recorded during the trial.

This second trial showed that replacement of sodium selenite with l-selenomethionine significantly increased body weight at all stocking densities applied.

Body weight uniformity – standard deviation of individual body weight in each pen/average body weight of the pen – was improved and feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced for all stock-ing densities applied.

L-selenomethionine showed a trend towards lower shear force of breast meat.

Conclusions on use of l-selenomethionine in broiler breeders and broilers

Overall, the first trial showed that l-selenomethionine does not only allow for positive effects when fed to broilers, but also allows for long-lasting positive effects in offspring when fed to broiler breeders.

The significant improvements in body weight and drip loss that were found for the l-selenomethionine supplemented groups – in breeders and/or off-spring – indicate potential for a more economical production.

When combining these results with the second trial, where it was shown that l-selenomethionine improved performance, tenderness and flock uniformity compared to sodium selenite in broilers, this hypothesis on economic benefits is confirmed once more.

In conclusion, l-selenomethionine allows for significant improvements in bird performance.

The best results can be obtained when both broiler breeders as well as broiler offspring have a diet supplemented with l-selenomethionine.