Allometric growth of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium in slow- and fast-growing young chickens

Abstract

Allometric growth of body macrominerals was examined in slow-growing laying-type cockerels (SG) and in fast-growing male broiler hybrids (FG) during the growing period from hatch to day 22. Allometric coefficients for dry matter, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium in relation to body weight were 1.091, 1.427, 1.383, 1.284, 0.843, and 1.097 for SG chickens and 1.075, 1.276, 1.233, 1.216, 0.943, and 1.144 for FG chickens, respectively. Allometric coefficients describing the relationships of Ca, P, Mg, Na, and K with dry matter weight were 1.302, 1.260, 1.172, 0.772, and 0.998 for SG chickens and 1.185, 1.143, 1.127, 0.878, and 1.059 for FG chickens, respectively. High allometric coefficients for Ca, P, and Mg in both genotypes likely indicate a rapid growth of skeletal tissues which requires an adequate mineral nutrition during this period of growth. The deposition of Ca and P relative to dry matter was higher (P < 0.05) and that of Na lower (P < 0.01) in SG chickens thus suggesting that the relative growth of these minerals may be affected by genotype.