Experimental study on alternations in growth performance and serum biochemical analytes in broiler chicks exposed to varying level of calcium in standard poultry ration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

The current experimental study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance responses and serum biochemical alteration in broiler chicks exposed to different dietary calcium level in standard poultry ration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed from January to June 2015 for a period of six weeks on a total of 80 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks breed (40 females and 40 males) which were randomly allocated into four equal treatment groups each compromising 20 broiler chicks. Accordingly, the four treatment groups designated as A (kept as control), B, C and D received dietary calcium levels 8.5 g Ca/Kg, 17 g Ca/Kg, 25.5 g Ca/Kg and 36.5 g Ca/Kg, respectively, Similarly, each treatment group was blocked on the basis of sex (10 males and 10 females). Serum samples from all treatment groups were obtained and subjected to biochemical analysis using spectrophotometer auto analyzer. Growth performance responses namely feed intake, feed conversion ratio, live body weight gain and carcass yield were evaluated. Results of the present experiment revealed that treatment groups (C and D) to have statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in the mean serum level of uric acid and calcium as compared to control group and group B; however serum level of phosphorus showed statistically significant decrease (P<0.05). Feed intake, live body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield were statistically lower in the treatment groups (C and D) in comparison with control group (A) and treatment group (B). Treatment group (B) favored breast and drumstick yields which constituted the major retail value of dressed chickens but showed relatively lower serum biochemical alteration. From the above results, it was concurred that neither higher and nor lower calcium is appropriate for use as feed ingredient in broiler chickens’ diets.

Keywords: Broiler Chicks, Dietary Calcium, Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical