A total of 72 tibia bones (6 per treatment) collected at the end of 46-d feeding trial involving four phosphorus (P) sources-calcium hydrogen phosphate (CHP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), dicalcium phosphate (DCP) and single super phosphate (SSP) and their three levels 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% available P (AP) were used for the measurement of morphometry and mineralization in broiler chicks. Results indicated that the morphometry and mineralization traits of tibia bone differed significantly (P<0.05) due to different P sources. However, the available phosphorus levels did not respond significantly on morphometry and mineralization traits of tibia bone. It is concluded that among different P sources, the utilization of DCP and SSP was found better than other two sources (CHP and DAP) and the lowest level of dietary P (0.3% AP) was also found comparable to other higher levels (0.4–0.5% AP) for proper tibia bone development and mineralization in broiler chicks.
Broilers, mineralization, osteometry, phosphorus sources
