Effect of Vegetable and Animal Protein Meal Combinations on The Mineral Utilization Pattern of Multicoloured Broilers

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of source of protein in the diet of broilers on the pattern of mineral utilization. Day-old multicolored broiler chicks were distributed into 12 groups of 10 chicks each and allotted equally to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The chicks were reared up to 6 weeks of age, and fed diets based on three different diets varying in source of protein viz., soybean (D1), fish meal (D2) and meat-cum-bone meal (MBM; D3). After 17 (starter phase) and 38 (finisher phase) days of experimental feeding, retention study of 4-d durations were conducted to determine the retention of minerals. During starter phase, the retention of calcium and copper was significantly (P<0.05) higher in D3 diet. On the other hand, the retention of manganese and phosphorus were significantly (P<0.05) higher in D1 diet. During finishing phase, no significant difference was observed in calcium and manganese utilization among the dietary treatments. The retention of copper, however was significantly (P<0.05) higher in MBM (D3) based diet. On the contrary, the phosphorus utilization was markedly (P<0.05) higher in D1 and D2 treatments. It is concluded that dietary formulations based on animal protein supplements such as fish meal and meat-cum-bone meal could minimize the excreta load of copper to a greater extent thereby averting the threat of possible environmental pollution.