The influence of selenium additives in compound feed on the chemical composition, energy and biological value of ducklings meat

Abstract

According to modern classification of trace elements, which is based on their biological significance for living organisms, selenium is classified as a group of vital or biogenic elements. As a biotic element, it has unique physico-chemical and biochemical properties and, with adequate intake into the body of farm animals and poultry has a positive effect on a number of physiological processes. The discovery of biological properties of selenium became the basis for its use first in the prevention and treatment of many diseases associated with a deficiency of this trace element, and later – as a stimulator of growth and development of young animals, as well as in order to increase egg production, poultry safety, improve the incubation characteristics of eggs and several other productive qualities. Scientists who have studied the effects of selenium on poultry have paid relatively little attention to meat quality. The effect of additives of different selenium doses in compound feed on the chemical composition, energy and biological value of Ukrainian white breed ducklings’ meat was studied in the scientific and economic experiment. Four groups of ducklings with 100 heads in each groups were formed to conduct the scientific and economic experiment. The duration of the experiment was 56 days and corresponded to the period of raising ducklings for meat. The ducklings of the first control group did not receive selenium supplementation. Selenium was additionally introduced into compound feed for poultry of the experimental groups in the following amount, mg/kg: the second group – 0.2; the third – 0.4 and the fourth – 0.6. It was established that the introduction of selenium into compound feed in the studied dose did not significantly affect to the quality of ducklings’ meat, although it had a positive effect on some indicators that characterize its chemical composition, nutritional and biological value. Among the experimental groups, ducklings of the third and fourth groups, which were injected with selenium into compound feed at the rate of 0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg, stood out in terms of meat quality.