Division of Avian Nutrition and Feed Technology, Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, India.
*Reprint request: Dr. H.P. Shrivastava, Tel: +91-581-2303402; Fax: +91-581-2301321; E-mail: hpshri@rediffmail.com.
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the carcass quality and utilization of calcium and phosphorus in broiler chicks fed diet with graded levels viz., 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50 and 0.55 per cent of available phosphorus from 0–46 d of age. Results indicated that the carcass quality traits (pre-slaughter live weight, percent shrinkage loss due to fasting, dressing yield, evisceration yield, gizzard, heart and liver) did not differ significantly due to different levels of dietary P. Excreta moisture and calcium retention variables also did not vary significantly due to different phosphorus levels. Significant (P < 0.05) linear increase in intake and excretion of phosphorus was noticed when phosphorus levels were increased in diet from 0.20 to 0.40 percent. However, no significant effect was evident in terms of retained phosphorus and percent retention of phosphorus due to different phosphorus levels in the diet. Results of the present study suggest that 0.30 percent available phosphorus in the diet is adequate for optimum carcass quality characteristics and utilization of calcium and phosphorus in broiler chicks.
Phosphorus, Broilers, Carcass traits, Calcium
