*These results are specific to Selko IntelliBond Copper (CH) as it has a unique chemistry and uses a unique manufacturing technology that delivers the copper in a patented optisize particle. Not all hydroxy trace minerals are the same and not all hydroxy trace minerals will produce the same results.
Copper hydroxychloride, a possible alternative to antibiotic growth promoters to increase body weight gain
This study demonstrates the benefits of feeding copper hydroxychloride (CH), over copper sulphate (CS), at both nutritional and growth promoting levels. Ever since the movement away from antibiotics as growth promoters in feed has started, many studies aiming to find alternatives have been published. It has been suggested that Cu has antimicrobial benefits when included in feed at higher doses than suggested for nutritional levels. This would result in improved intestinal health, faster growth rates and lower feed conversation ratios in birds receiving higher doses of copper in their feed. In this study broiler chicks (Ross 308 birds) were fed various levels of copper hydroxychloride and copper sulphate to determine the adequate nutritional and pharmacological (growth promoting) doses. Authors compared the efficacy of CH and CS at increasing body weight gain (BWG), decreasing feed conversion ratio (FCR) and improving bone health, as tibia ash content and tibia breaking strength.
Copper hydroxychloride (Selko IntelliBond Cu) has higher bioavailability and stability than copper sulphate
It has been proven in many studies that the use of copper sulphate (CuSO4) in feed is not as beneficial as using copper hydroxychloride (CH). The high reactivity of sulphate molecules in the presence of moisture allows them to break down in the feed, even before ingestion by the animal. This results in the release of free Cu ions with the ability to bind vitamins, fats, enzymes, and other dietary nutrients, rendering both unavailable for absorption.
Selko IntelliBond Cu is an inorganic source of copper, with a unique crystallized molecular structure, consisting of strong covalent bonds. The unique structure of copper hydroxychloride (CH) makes it more stable during storage and less reactive in feed and in the upper gastrointestinal tract than CS.
Comparing the efficacy of copper hydroxychloride (Selko, Intellibond Cu) and CuSO4 to maintain skeletal health and increase weight gain
Copper is an essential trace element with an important role in supporting the growth and development of broilers. Rapidly growing birds have an increased need for copper to maintain skeletal health, tissue integrity and antioxidant defence systems. Authors aimed to determine the required level of copper hydroxychloride to maximise body weight gain and optimise feed efficiency, by analysing bone mineral levels and growth parameters. Birds that were receiving the 200mg/kg CH (Selko, Intellibond Cu) diet achieved the highest body weight gains and had the lowest feed conversion ratios across all treatments. In comparison to birds fed the same amount of CuSO4 (200mg/kg), the CH birds had a higher weight gain and a lower feed conversion ratio, even though no difference in feed intake was recorded.
Copper source affects growth performance
The optimum levels of supplemental copper
Based on broken-line regression models, the authors predicted the inclusion level of copper in the form of copper hydroxychloride (Selko, Intellibond Cu) for optimum body weight gain in broiler chicks to be 109.5mg/kg feed and for optimum feed conversation ratio 72.3mg/kg feed.