Rearing Temperature Is Inconsequential to Broiler Phosphorus Excretion

Abstract

ABSTRACT A feeding trial was conducted to determine the influence of rearing temperature on P excretion by male broilers. Experimental diets were formulated with three levels of dietary available P (aP): control at 0.38% aP, control less 20% or 0.304% aP of diet, and control plus 20% or 0.456% aP of diet. From 21 to 40 d of age, broilers were fed the experimental diet. Broilers were housed in grow-out batteries inside environmental chambers that provided a constant temperature of 16, 21, or 26°C. Manure was sampled at 25 d (a baseline sample in which all birds had been on the control diet) then twice weekly to 40 d. Excreted fecal P ranged from 1.7 to 2.3%, with a significant effect due to the dietary aP level. Environmental temperature did not impact manure P, irrespective of dietary aP.