Effect of Varying Levels of Available Phosphorus on Performance of Broiler Chicks in Hot Humid Climate

An experiment was conducted in hot and humid climate on one-week-old broilers to study the effect of varying levels of available phosphorus on the growth performance. Eighty broiler chicks of one-week age were divided into eight groups of 10 chicks (5 males and 5 females) in each. Four experimental diets with varying available phosphorus levels of 0.40, 0.50, 0.60 and 0.65 percent at one percent calcium level were formulated. Each diet was fed to a duplicate group of chicks up to sixth week of age. Results revealed that the highest body weight was at 0.5 percent available phosphorus level beyond which it declined. But the body weights at 0.6 and 0.65 percent available phosphorus were more than that at 0.4 percent available phosphorus levels. Weight gain at 0.4 percent available phosphorus level was significantly (P<0.05) less than at higher levels studied. Dietary increase in the phosphorus level significantly (P<0.05) affected the feed consumption of the birds. Significantly (P<0.05) more feed consumption was recorded at 0.60 and 0.65 percent phosphorus levels as compared to the lowest level of (0.4 percent) available phosphorus. Minimum feed intake per unit gain was recorded at 0.5 percent available phosphorus level. Dressing percentage, meat: bone ratio, shank length and shank width was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. Males put up more weight in bones than females and also had significantly higher shank weight, length and shank width. From the data it was concluded that the broiler diets during hot humid climatic conditions should contain 0.5 percent available phosphorus.