Effect of heat treated rock phosphate without and with Phytase instead of Dicalcium Phosphate on serum enzyme activity and mineral concentration in starter chicks

To reduce the cost of mineral mixture in egg type starter chicks, present study was planned to see the utilization of heat-treated rock phosphate (HTRP) without and with phytase as an alternate to dicalcium phosphate (DCP) in their mineral mixture (MM). In the experiment, three hundred and fifteen days old chicks (WLH) were randomly distributed to 21 replicates of 15 chicks each and were allotted to 7 dietary treatments. Experiment was conducted for 0–8 weeks (Starter phase). In the experiment when DCP was replaced by 60% HTRP in mineral mixture of starter chicks, the serum enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) and minerals (Ca and P) were not influenced significantly (P<0.05). But when it was completely replaced using HTRP, raised the concentration of serum enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) but reduced the Ca and P concentration. Similarly, use of higher levels of HTRP instead of DCP increased the serum fluorine concentration significantly (P<0.05). Use of HTRP along with phytase up to 80% instead of DCP did not influence their serum AST, ALP and P. However, ALT and Ca and Mn concentration reduced significantly when DCP was completely replaced by HTRP supplemented with phytase. Hence it was concluded that 60% HTRP or 80% HTRP along with phytase was beneficial to replace DCP in the mineral mixture of egg type starter chickens.