Scientists tested a new way to give chickens important minerals like zinc and copper to help them grow better and stay healthier. Instead of using the traditional mineral forms, they tried newer versions called hydroxychloride minerals. The study involved nearly 1,000 chickens divided into different groups that received different mineral mixtures. Chickens that got the new hydroxychloride minerals grew about 4% bigger, had better muscle meat, and showed signs of a healthier digestive system compared to chickens getting traditional minerals. This research suggests that switching to these newer mineral forms could help chicken farms raise healthier birds without needing antibiotics.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a newer form of zinc and copper minerals (called hydroxychloride minerals) helps chickens grow better and have healthier digestive systems compared to traditional mineral forms
  • Who participated: 990 young broiler chickens (the type raised for meat) divided into 55 groups of 18 birds each, all the same breed (Ross 308)
  • Key finding: Chickens receiving the new hydroxychloride mineral form grew about 4% heavier by day 35, had better quality meat, stronger bones, and showed healthier gut bacteria compared to chickens on traditional minerals
  • What it means for you: If you eat chicken, this research suggests farms may be able to raise healthier birds using these newer minerals instead of antibiotics, potentially leading to better quality chicken products. However, this study was done in controlled farm settings, so results may vary in real-world conditions.

The Research Details

Researchers divided 990 chickens into five different groups and fed each group a slightly different diet. One group got traditional minerals (zinc sulfate and copper sulfate), while the other four groups got newer mineral forms called hydroxychloride minerals at various amounts. The chickens were raised in floor pens with 18 birds per pen, which mimics how chickens are actually raised on farms. The researchers measured how fast the chickens grew, how much feed they needed to gain weight, and checked their digestive health at different ages (day 21 and day 35). They also examined the chickens’ bones, organs, and the bacteria living in their digestive systems.

This type of study is called a controlled experiment because the researchers carefully controlled everything except the mineral type, allowing them to see if the minerals made a real difference. The chickens were all the same age, breed, and raised in similar conditions, which helps ensure that any differences in growth or health were due to the minerals and not other factors.

The researchers used scientific measurements to check gut health, including looking at how well the intestinal barrier was working and counting different types of bacteria in the chickens’ digestive systems. They also measured bone strength and mineral content in the bones, which are important indicators of overall health.

This research matters because farms currently use antibiotics to help chickens grow faster and stay healthy, but antibiotics are becoming less effective as bacteria develop resistance. Finding alternatives like these new mineral forms could help farms raise healthy chickens without relying on antibiotics, which is important for public health. The study design is strong because it carefully controlled all variables and measured multiple aspects of chicken health, not just growth.

This study has several strengths: it used a large number of chickens (990), had multiple treatment groups to compare, measured many different health markers, and was published in a reputable scientific journal (Scientific Reports). The researchers measured outcomes at different time points during the chickens’ growth. However, the study was conducted in a controlled research setting, so results might be different on actual farms with different conditions. The study focused only on one chicken breed, so results might not apply to all chicken types.

What the Results Show

Chickens that received the new hydroxychloride mineral form grew significantly better than those on traditional minerals. By day 35 (the end of the study), chickens on the new minerals weighed about 4% more than the control group. This might not sound like much, but in chicken farming, a 4% increase in growth is considered very meaningful because it means faster growth with less feed needed.

The new minerals also improved the quality of the meat. Chickens on hydroxychloride minerals had more breast meat (the most valuable part) and less fat in their abdomens compared to the traditional mineral group. This is important because it means better quality meat for consumers and better economics for farmers.

Perhaps most importantly, the new minerals improved gut health. The researchers found that chickens on hydroxychloride minerals had lower levels of harmful bacteria (Enterobacteria) in their digestive systems and better intestinal barrier function, meaning their digestive systems were working better and keeping out harmful substances. The chickens also showed a trend toward having more beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacteria), which are good for digestion.

Bone health also improved with the new minerals. Chickens receiving hydroxychloride minerals had stronger bones that could withstand more pressure before breaking, and their bones contained higher levels of zinc and phosphorus, which are essential minerals for bone development.

The study tested different amounts of the new minerals to see if more was better. Interestingly, the highest amounts of copper (200 mg/kg in early stages) didn’t always produce better results than moderate amounts, suggesting there’s an optimal level. The researchers also found that the benefits appeared early in the chickens’ lives and continued through the growth period. Liver health markers also appeared normal in all groups, suggesting the new minerals didn’t cause any toxic effects even at higher doses.

Previous research has shown that high-dose copper can help chickens grow better and improve gut health, but it’s usually given as copper sulfate. This study shows that the newer hydroxychloride form of copper and zinc may work even better than the traditional sulfate forms. The results align with other research suggesting that mineral form matters—how minerals are processed and absorbed by the body affects their effectiveness. This study adds to growing evidence that hydroxychloride minerals could be a better alternative to both traditional minerals and antibiotics.

This study was conducted in a controlled research environment, so results might differ on actual farms where conditions are less controlled. The study only tested one breed of chicken (Ross 308), so the results might not apply to other chicken breeds or types of poultry. The study lasted 35 days, which is the typical growth period for meat chickens, but we don’t know if benefits would continue longer or if there might be long-term effects. The study didn’t directly compare the new minerals to antibiotics, so we can’t say for certain that they work as well as antibiotics. Finally, the study didn’t measure cost-effectiveness, so we don’t know if the new minerals would be affordable for farms to use.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, there is moderate evidence that hydroxychloride minerals could be a good alternative to traditional mineral forms for raising chickens. The evidence is strongest for improved growth (about 4% increase) and gut health markers. Farms might consider switching to these minerals, especially if they’re trying to reduce antibiotic use. However, more research on actual farms and with different chicken breeds would strengthen these recommendations. Confidence level: Moderate (this is one well-designed study, but more research would help confirm results).

Chicken farmers and poultry producers should care about this research because it offers a practical way to improve chicken health and growth without antibiotics. Food companies and consumers interested in antibiotic-free chicken should care because this research supports alternatives to antibiotic use. Veterinarians and animal nutritionists should consider these findings when advising farms. People concerned about antibiotic resistance in food production should find this encouraging. However, this research is specifically about chickens, so it doesn’t directly apply to other animals or to human nutrition, though the principles might be similar.

Based on this study, benefits appeared relatively quickly. The researchers measured gut health improvements by day 21 (three weeks), and growth improvements were clear by day 35 (five weeks). On a farm, you might expect to see improved growth rates within the first few weeks of switching to the new minerals. However, the full benefits for bone strength and meat quality would take the full growth period (about 5-6 weeks for meat chickens) to become apparent.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you’re involved in poultry farming, track weekly body weight gains and feed conversion ratio (how much feed is needed per pound of growth). Compare these metrics before and after switching to hydroxychloride minerals. Also track any health issues or mortality rates to ensure the new minerals don’t cause problems.
  • If you manage a chicken farm, consider gradually switching from traditional zinc sulfate and copper sulfate to hydroxychloride forms of these minerals in your feed. Start by replacing one mineral at a time and monitor results over 2-3 flocks before making complete changes. Keep detailed records of growth rates, feed costs, and health outcomes.
  • Establish a baseline of your current chicken growth rates, feed efficiency, and health markers before making any changes. After switching minerals, monitor the same metrics weekly for at least 3-4 complete growth cycles (about 4-5 months) to see if improvements match what this research suggests. Track not just growth but also meat quality, bone strength (if you have the ability to test), and any health issues. Compare your results to your baseline and to industry standards.

This research was conducted on chickens in a controlled research setting and may not apply to all farming conditions or chicken breeds. The study does not directly compare these minerals to antibiotics or evaluate them in human food safety. Anyone considering changing poultry feed or mineral supplementation should consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist familiar with their specific farming operation. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Results may vary based on farm conditions, chicken breed, feed quality, and other management factors.