Assessing calcium availability from limestone sources through bone and blood status of chickens

Abstract

Calcium (Cu) availability from limestone (procured from different cement factories) was assessed through bone and blood status of chickens using the completely randomized design. Five hundred and twenty five (525) straight run broiler chicks that were 28 days Of age (trial l), four hundred and twenty (420) broiler finishers that were 56 days of age (trial 2), and 210 layers that had been laying for six months (trial 3) were used in the study. Six limestone dietary treatments and a control accounted for the seven diets that were assessed Twelve birds per treatment and 4 per replicate that had their weights close to the mean of the pen were selected in the broiler trials (trials I and 2) and three birds per pen and nine per diet were selected in the layer trial (trial 3) for bone and blood samples analysis. Bone samples were analyzed for bone weight, bone length, ash weight, percentage ash, Ca and phosphorus contents of ash and blood samples were analyzed for plasma Ca and alkaline phosphates activity. Results showed similar influence of sources on bone weight, bone length, ash weight and percentage ash. Ca and P contents of ash were significantly (P<0.05) affected by limestone sources but generally. Limestone sources produced mean values that were equal to or than the control diet in the starter phase (trail 1). In the finisher phase (trial 2), only Ca content of ashy varied significantly where Jakura source produced the least mean value. The layer trial (trial 3) also produced mean values that were significant (P <0.05) for Ca content of ash with the Sokoto source producing the least mean value. Plasma Ca and alkaline phosphates enzyme activity attained published values for chickens. It was concluded based on the information from this study that the (h from tested limestone sources was generally available for chicken production.