EFFECTS OF VARYING CALCIUM/PHOSPHORUS RATIOS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT BREED EGG-TYPE CHICKS IN A SEMI ARID ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This study attempted to establish an optimum dietary Ca:P ratio for egg type chicks under a semi arid condition using 150 day old chicks. They were reared on five isocaloric-isonitrogeneouss diets of varying Ca:P ratios ad libitum for a period of eight weeks. The chicks were randomly assigned to the five dietary groups of 30 birds made up of three replicates of 10 birds each. Feed intake varied significantly (P<0.05) among the five groups with a definite trend of decrease in feed intake as Ca:P ratio increases. FCR (4.47) of 2:1 group was significantly (P<0.05) better than all the other diets (6.48-9.62). The group on 6:1 Ca:P ratio showed 6.67% incidence of leg deformity. The study concluded that dietary Ca:P ratio of 2:1 was best for egg type chicks, while, higher Ca:P ratios than 3:1 results in reduced feed intake, poor FCR and possible leg deformity.