Effect of vitamin D₃ and calcium phosphorus ratios on the performance of broilers

A feeding trial was conducted for assessing the effect of supplementating of vitamin D₃ at varying Calcium total phosphorus ratio (Ca: tP) on the performance of broiler chicks. One-week-old chicks (192) were randomly distributed in 16 groups of 12 chicks each. Four wheat based diets with 1:1, 1.2:1, 1.4:1 and 2:1 Ca:tP ratio were formulated. Eight experimental diets with or without vitamin D₃ were randomly allocated to duplicate group of chicks. Widening of Ca:tP ratio, irrespective of vit D₃ reduced (P<0.05) the body weight, weight gain and feed consumption. However, feed conversion ratio(FCR), protein conversion ratio (PCR) and calorie conversion ratio (CCR) improved (P<0.05) upto 1.4:1 ratio. Vit D₃, irrespective of Ca:tP ratios reduced (P<0.05) feed consumption and improved PCR. Vit D₃ at all Ca: tP ratios increased the DM and OM metabolizibility and CF digestibility except at Ca: tP ratio of 2:1. Increase (P<0.05) in the Ca and P retention was observed when vit D₃ was supplemented at Ca: tP ratio (s) of 1:1, 1.2:1 and 1.4:1. Widening of Ca:tP ratio irrespective of Vit D₃ increased (P<0.05) the DM, OM, digestibilities and retention of N, Ca and P. Irrespective of Ca: tP ratio supplementation of Vit. D₃ increased (P<0.05) CF and OM digestibilities, Ca and P retention. It was concluded that Ca:tP ratio of 1.2:1 with Vit. D₃ (600 IU) is the optimum for broiler diets.