A study was conducted to determine the effect of sources and levels of zinc on tissue zinc
concentration and the carcass quality of broilers. A total of 6,000 1-day-old unsexed broiler chicks
were allotted randomly to four floor pens with 1,500 birds per pen. A corn-wheat-soybean meal basal
diet (Control) was formulated, and 40 ppm inorganic zinc (40 IZ), 40 ppm organic zinc (40 OZ), and
80 ppm organic zinc (80 OZ) were added to the basal diet to form four dietary treatments. During the
4-wk experimental period, feed and water were provided ad libitum. At the end of the feeding trial,
five birds from each pen were randomly selected as five replicates, slaughtered and carcass
evaluation was performed. Results showed that zinc supplementations have no effect on zinc content
in thigh muscle but a significant increase was found in skins from broilers in 80OZ (P50:05). The
epidermis thickness of tibia and back skin were not affected by the zinc supplementations. However,
significant increases of tibia and back skin dermis thickness were found (P50:05) by zinc
supplementation and organic zinc was more effective than inorganic zinc in this respect (P50:05).
The collagen contents of breast and thigh muscle were not affected by dietary zinc supplementation,
but organic zinc increased the collagen contents in the back skin of broilers (P50:05). Shear force
values of back skin and breast muscle were not affected by zinc supplementation. It is concluded that
dietary organic zinc is more effective in increasing the skin zinc concentration, and improving skin
quality of broilers than inorganic zinc.