Replacing dietary sodium selenite with a lower level of hydroxy-selenomethionine improves the performance of broiler breeders and their progeny

Abstract The aim of this study has been to compare the effect of sodium selenite (SS) or hydroxy-selenometionine (OH-SeMet) on the performance of broiler breeders and their progeny. A total of 216 broiler breeders (AP95 Aviagen; 55-65 weeks old) were assigned to two treatments: a diet supplemented with 0.3 mg Se Se/kg as SS or a diet supplemented with 0.2 mg Se Se/kg as OH-SeMet. A total of 520 mixed progeny chicks were used for a growth trial (41 d), in a completely randomised 2 × 2 factoria design: 2 sources of Se for the breeder diets and two sources of Se for the progeny diets – SS at 0.3 mg Se Se/kg and OH-SeMet at 0.2 mg Se Se/kg. OH-SeMet increased the egg production, the Se content in the egg, eggshell strength and hatchability (p < .05), compared to SS. The high Se deposition in the hatching eggs benefitted the progeny, as reflected by the better feed conversion ratio (p < .05). No significant changes were observed in the feed intake or weight gain, or the interactions between the maternal diets and progeny diets. Overall, supplementation with OH-SeMet at 0.2 mg Se Se/kg has proved to be an effective approach to help maintain the productive and reproductive performances of ageing breeder flocks and to enhance the performance of their progeny. Highlights Replacement of dietary sodium selenite with hydroxy-selenomethionine in the broiler breeder diet increased Se accumulation in the eggs and improved egg production, the Se content in the eggs, eggshell strength and hatchability. The increased Se deposition in the hatching eggs benefitted the progeny, as reflected by the better feed conversion ratio. Supplementation with OH-SeMet at 0.2 mg Se/kg proved to be an effective approach to help maintain the productive and reproductive performances of ageing breeder flocks and to enhance the performance of their progeny.