EFFECTS OF CALCIUM, AVAILABLE PHOSPHORUS AND SODIUM DI-FORMATE LEVELS: 1- PERFORMANCE AND TIBIA MEASUREMENTS OF BROILER CHICKS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of adding different sodium di-format (NDF) levels in the presence of low levels calcium and available phosphorus diets on broiler productive performance and tibia measurements. A total number of 140 one day old Hubbard broiler chicks were classified into 7 equal groups, each was subdivided into 4 replicates with 5 chicks. The control group was fed standard (starter and grower) diets formulated ensuring sufficient supply of nutrients suggested by the guidebook of Hubbard broilers that contain 100% (Ca and AP) requirements without (NDF) and a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement with 3 different levels of Ca & AP being (50%, 40% and 30%) from requirements and 2 levels of dietary NDF (1.5 and 2.25 kg/ ton). Feed and water were supplied ad-libitum throughout the whole experiment which lasted till 35 days of age. The results indicated that: Under the condition of the present study, broiler chicks fed control diets or diets containing 50%, Ca & AP with 2.25 kg/ton (T4) improved productive performance (live body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio) comparable or better than other treatments. Similar trends were observed regarding the effect of previous dietary treatments on tibia bone measurements (Tibia; length and width) and tibia chemical composition (tibia Ca & P) percentages. However, broiler chicks fed (T4) diets during experimental period (35 days) reflected the lowest significant tibia breaking strength and ash% compared with those fed control diets It is obvious that, the best performance was seen when 50% Ca & AP 2.25 kg/ton (NDF) were applied in broiler diets without any adverse effect on productive performance and most of tibia measurements and chemical composition.