Abstract
This trial evaluated the effects of various dietary calcium and nonphytate phosphorus (nPP) feeding regimens on the growth and bone integrity of Nicholas 700 toms from 2 to 19 wk of age. After a 2-wk common brooding period, 24 to 25 poults/pen were allocated to 8 pens/treatment. Crumbles were fed from 2 to 5 wk of age and pellets were fed from 5 to 19 wk of age in a 3-wk phase program. Dietary calcium was kept at a 1.8:1 ratio with nPP for all diets. Diet 1 (LOW) was formulated to provide NRC recommendations for each phase change, ending with 0.25% nPP from 17 to 19 wk of age. Diet 2 (MED) nPP levels averaged 0.06 percentage units higher than the LOW diet. Diet 3 (HIGH) averaged 0.10 percentage units higher nPP than the MED diet. Diet 4 (VHIGH) averaged 0.10 percentage units higher nPP than the HIGH diet. Body weight was decreased (P < 0.01) by the LOW diet compared with all other treatments throughout the trial. By 8 wk of age, BW was lower (P < 0.001) when the MED diet was fed compared with the HIGH and VHIGH diets. Feed:gain was worsened (P < 0.02) by the LOW diet, compared with the HIGH and VHIGH diets, throughout the entire trial. The incidences of leg problems and spontaneous bone fractures were increased (P = 0.001) when the LOW diet was fed compared with the other diets. The increase in litter phosphorus (P = 0.001) was directly proportional to increases in dietary nPP. The HIGH and VHIGH diets resulted in the best growth performance and skeletal integrity.
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