The Effect of Limestone Deposits as Calcium Source on the Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Four trials (two at the starter phase and two at the finisher phase) were carried out in a study that utilized Anak-180 broiler chickens to evaluate the potentials of six limestone sources (that were procured from Ashaka, Calabar, Jakura, Sokoto, Ukpila and Yandev cement factories) for inclusion in broiler diets as calcium source. The control diet accounted for the seventh dietary treatment. The first chick trial (Trial 1) utilized 525 chicks and the second (Trial 2) utilized 420 chicks from day old to 28 days of age. Dietary treatments in each trial were replicated 3 times such that Trial 1 had 25 chicks per replicate and Trial 2 had 20 chicks. The first finisher trial (Trial 3) utilized 315 chickens with 15 birds per replicate, the second (Trial 4) utilized 252 chickens with 12 birds per replicate from 35 days of age to 56 days. The experimental design was Completely Randomized Design. Measurements were taken for, feed intake, body weight gain, efficiency of feed conversion, leg disorders and mortality rate. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) differences in feed intake and weight gain in trial 1. In trial 2, all performance traits were significantly (P<0.05) different among the diets. Both leg disorders and mortality rate occurred in trial 1 but were mild in trial 2. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences among the limes in the performance traits in trial 3, but trial 4 showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the dietary means for feed intake, and weight gain. Generally, the study showed improved performance traits over suggested bench mark standard in this country. Leg disorders did not affect performance traits adversely; both leg disorders and mortality rate were adjudged to be independent of limestone sources tested. It was concluded that, the limestone sources tested were good calcium sources for broiler diets.