Evaluation of Mixed Natural Carotenoid Products as Xanthophyll Sources for Broiler Pigmentation

The broiler pigmenting properties of products containing predominantly red xanthophylls from natural sources (MNC) were compared to those of marigold concentrate (MC) in three experiments. Day-old broiler cockerels were fed starter diets containing no added xanthophyll. Chicks were then assigned to one of the following diets: 1) negative control diet (no supplemental xanthophyll); 2) positive control diet in which MC increased total xanthophyll to 44 mg/kg (Exp. 1 and 2) or 66 mg/kg (Exp. 3); or 3) experimental diets in which MNC products constituted 25 to 40% of the total dietary xanthophyll. Broiler pigmentation was assessed by shank score, carcass color score, and color difference meter evaluation of breast skin. Broilers fed supplemental xanthophyll had higher (P<.05) pigmentation scores than those fed the negative control diet. Xanthophyll from MNC was more readily deposited in shanks than in skin because smaller, if any, differences between the two sources existed in shank scores than in carcass scores. Feeding of MNC resulted in no increase in redness (a) of broiler skin. When MNC xanthophyll constituted 25% of the total xanthophyll (44 mg/kg), no differences were observed in carcass pigmentation or yellowness (b) of breast skin between MNC and MC diets. However, when either the total xanthophyll concentration or the proportion of xanthophyll supplied by MNC was increased, both carcass color score and yellowness (b) of breast skin were lower (P<.05) in MNC-fed than in MC-fed broilers.