饲粮钙磷水平对矮脚黄肉鸡生长性能及胫骨灰分含量的影响

试验旨在研究饲粮钙磷水平对矮脚黄肉鸡生长性能及胫骨灰分含量影响,得到矮脚黄肉鸡适宜的饲粮钙磷水平。综合肉鸡的生长性能及胫骨灰分含量的数据来看,矮脚黄肉鸡小鸡阶段饲粮的钙水平为0.90%,非植酸磷水平为0.40%,中鸡阶段饲粮钙水平为0.85%,非植酸磷水平为0.36%,大鸡阶段饲粮钙水平为0.80%,非植酸磷水平为0.33%可满足肉鸡生长及骨骼发育需要,在此基础上钙磷水平下调,肉鸡胫骨灰分含量显著降低(P0.01)。     

饲粮钙磷水平对中速型黄羽肉鸡生长性能及胫骨灰分含量的影响

将4 500只中速型黄羽肉鸡按照日粮不同钙磷水平分成5组,每组5个重复,每个重复180只,研究不同钙磷水平对不同生长阶段(1～30日龄、31～60日龄和61～90日龄)肉鸡生长性能及胫骨灰分含量的影响,以期得到中速型黄羽肉鸡适宜的饲粮钙磷水平。结果:中速型黄羽肉鸡饲粮1～30日龄钙水平0. 90%、非植酸磷水平0. 40%,31～60日龄钙水平0. 75%、非植酸磷水平0. 31%,61～90日龄钙水平0. 70%、非植酸磷水平0. 28%时已完全满足其生长和骨骼发育的需要,高于此钙磷水平,肉鸡料重比呈上升趋势,日均增重呈下降趋势,胫骨灰分含量基本维持不变;当钙磷水平达到如下水平时,即:1～30日龄钙0. 90%、非植酸磷0. 45%,31～60日龄钙0. 85%、非植酸磷0. 41%,61～90日龄钙0. 80%、非植酸磷0. 38%时,肉鸡日增重极显著降低(P<0. 01),料重比极显著上升(P<0. 01),说明已超过肉鸡对钙磷的需要量。     

饲粮添加不同水平维生素D_3对肉仔鸡生长性能和骨磷代谢利用的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平维生素D3(VD3)对肉仔鸡生长性能及骨磷代谢利用的影响。试验选用480只1日龄艾拔益加肉公雏,采用2×4双因子完全随机设计,设2个饲粮非植酸磷水平[0.45%和0.23%(实测值为0.44%和0.21%)]与4个VD3添加水平(0、1 000、2 000和4 000IU/kg),共8个组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验期21d。结果表明,与0.21%非植酸磷水平相比,0.44%非植酸磷水平显著提高肉仔鸡平均日增重(ADG)、平均日采食量(ADFI)、胫骨灰分含量和胫骨灰分磷含量(P0.05),显著降低料重比(F/G)和胫骨灰分磷绝对沉积率(P0.05);与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著提高肉仔鸡ADG、15~21和1~21日龄ADFI、胫骨灰分含量和胫骨灰分磷绝对沉积率(P0.05),显著降低1~21日龄肉仔鸡F/G(P0.05);0.21%非植酸磷水平下,与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著降低肉仔鸡死亡率(P0.05),显著提高21日龄肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05),添加2000IU/kg VD3显著提高14日龄肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05);0.44%非植酸磷水平下,与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著提高肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05)。以上结果表明,饲粮中添加VD3可提高肉仔鸡的生长性能并降低死亡率,促进磷在骨骼中的代谢利用。     

不同钙、磷水平对1～28日龄灰雁生长性能、胫骨性能及血液指标的影响

为研究饲粮钙、磷水平对雏雁生长性能、胫骨性能、血液指标和钙、磷表观代谢率的影响,试验采用双因子试验设计,钙、磷水平分别为0.45%、0.65%、0.85%、1.00%及0.15%、0.25%、0.35%、0.45%,选取400只1日龄灰雁,随机分为16组,每组5个重复,每个重复5只灰雁,每组饲喂不同钙、磷水平饲粮,试验期为28 d,测定生长性能、血清生化指标、胫骨性能及饲粮钙、非植酸磷表观代谢率。结果表明:1)平均日采食量和平均日增重均随钙、非植酸磷水平的升高呈先增加后减少趋势,钙、非植酸磷交互作用对灰雁的平均日采食量、平均日增重有极显著影响(P0.01)。2)胫骨灰分随钙、非植酸磷含量的增加呈先增加后减少趋势,随着钙、非植酸磷水平的升高,胫骨强度先增加后降低。3)当饲粮钙水平在0.65%和0.85%时,碱性磷酸酶活性显著低于0.45%和1.00%的饲粮钙水平(P0.05);当饲粮磷水平在0.15%时,碱性磷酸酶活性显著高于0.25%、0.35%和0.45%的饲粮磷水平(P0.05)。4)钙、磷代谢率最佳时的钙、磷水平分别为0.65%和0.35%。可见,过高过低的钙、磷水平均可降低雏雁的平均日增重;高钙、高磷不利于钙、磷的沉积,反而会导致骨骼灰分含量和钙沉积量减少,胫骨强度降低;高钙低磷或低钙低磷均会导致碱性磷酸酶活性升高,不利于钙、磷的沉积;当钙水平为0.65%、磷水平为0.35%时,即钙、磷比为1.86∶1时,钙、磷代谢率最佳。     

饲料中钙、磷水平对4～6周龄肉鸡骨骼生长的影响

选用800只21日龄白羽肉鸡,采用5×4二因子完全随机试验设计,随机分成20组,每组4个重复。在玉米-豆粕型日粮基础上添加5个水平钙(0.6%、0.8%、1.0%、1.2%和1.5%)和4个水平非植酸磷(0.35%、0.45%、0.55%和0.65%),研究饲料中不同钙、磷水平对4～6周龄肉鸡骨骼生长的影响。结果表明:胫骨强度、胫骨灰分及胫骨磷含量和日粮钙、磷水平呈显著正相关(P<0.05),但1.5%钙、0.6%钙和0.35%非植酸磷都显著降低胫骨强度、胫骨灰分及胫骨磷含量(P<0.05)。4-6周龄肉鸡达到最大胫骨强度时的日粮钙、非植酸磷添加水平分别为1.0%和0.45%。。由回归方程得出4-6周龄肉鸡胫骨灰分含量和胫骨强度达最大时的日粮钙、非植酸磷添加水平分别为0.99%、0.55%和1.02%、0.55%。     

饲粮钙磷水平对0～6同龄贵妃鸡生长及骨骼特性的影响

为研究饲粮钙和非植酸磷水平对贵妃鸡生长性能及骨骼特性的影响,以确定0～6周龄贵妃鸡日粮中适宜钙和非植酸磷水平,试验选用1日龄贵妃鸡公鸡360羽,采用2×3因子设计,共6个处理,每个处理6个重复笼,每重复10羽鸡,其中两个钙水平分别为1.10％、1.20％,三个非植酸磷水平分别为0.45％、0.50％和0.55％,饲养试验42 d,试验末,每组选6羽鸡（每笼1羽）进行屠宰测定,取左侧胫骨样品测定胫骨重、胫骨灰分、钙磷等指标.结果表明：日粮钙和非植酸磷水平的互作效应对贵妃鸡的生长和饲料利用效率有显著的影响（P＜0.05）,在1.10％钙水平下,随日粮非植酸磷水平升高,日增重和耗料增重比先显著升高后降低（P＜0.05）;在1.20％钙水平,随日粮非植酸磷水平升高,日增重和耗料增重比趋于升高,但未显显著差异（P＞0.05）.日粮非植酸磷水平及二者的互作效应对贵妃鸡的胫骨特性有显著的影响（P＜0.05）,在1.10％钙水平下,随日粮非植酸磷水平升高,胫骨灰分和胫骨磷含量先显著升高后降低（P＜0.05）,然而,在1.20％钙水平,胫骨灰分、胫骨钙磷含量0.55％组显著高于0.45％组（P＜0.05）;试验所有组中日粮非植酸磷水平0.50％和0.55％组胫骨灰分、胫骨钙磷含量显著高于0.45％组（P＜0.05）.综合本试验结果,推荐0～6周龄贵妃鸡日粮钙和非植酸磷适宜水平分别为1.10％和0.50％.     

饲粮钙水平对5～8周龄怀乡鸡生长性能、骨骼特性及钙磷代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮钙水平对5～8周龄怀乡鸡生长性能、骨骼特性及钙磷代谢的影响，以探讨5～8周龄怀乡鸡饲粮适宜钙水平。采用完全随机试验设计，将240只28日龄体重[（381.66±5.68） g]均一的怀乡鸡公鸡随机分为5组（每组6个重复，每个重复8只鸡），分别饲喂钙水平为0.75%（基础饲粮，非植酸磷水平为0.40%）、0.85%、0.95%、1.05%和1.15%的试验饲粮，试验期4周。结果显示：饲粮钙水平对怀乡鸡5～8周龄阶段的平均日采食量、平均日增重及耗料增重比没有显著影响（P>0.05）；饲粮钙水平显著影响怀乡鸡8周龄末的胫骨和趾骨灰分钙含量、血清钙含量、胫骨碱性磷酸酶mRNA相对表达量、粗灰分和钙表观代谢率（P<0.05），对其他骨骼及血清指标无显著影响（P>0.05）。趋势分析表明，胫骨灰分钙含量、血清钙含量、粗灰分和钙表观代谢率以及胫骨碱性磷酸酶mRNA相对表达量随饲粮钙水平的升高呈显著的二次曲线变化（P<0.05），趾骨灰分钙含量随饲粮钙水平的升高呈二次曲线变化趋势（P=0.079）。拟合分析得出其最佳拟合方程，胫骨和趾骨灰分钙含量、血清钙含量、...     

饲粮钙和非植酸磷水平对肉仔鸡生长性能和血清指标的影响

试验旨在研究饲粮不同钙和非植酸磷水平对1～21日龄肉仔鸡生长性能和血清指标的影响。选用540只1日龄商品代AA肉公雏作为试验动物，采用5(钙水平)×3(非植酸磷水平)双因子完全随机试验设计，饲粮钙水平分别为0.60%、0.70%、0.80%、0.90%、1.00%，非植酸磷水平分别为0.35%、0.40%、0.45%，共15个处理组，每组6个重复笼，每个重复笼6只鸡，试验期21 d。结果表明：饲粮钙和非植酸磷水平对1～21日龄肉仔鸡日增重、日采食量、耗料增重比、死亡率均无显著影响，饲粮钙和非植酸磷水平互作对1～21日龄肉仔鸡日增重有影响(P<0.01)，但对21日龄肉仔鸡血清钙、磷含量及碱性磷酸酶活性均无显著影响；当饲粮钙水平为0.62%、磷水平为0.35%时，肉仔鸡的日增重最大(P<0.05)。以上结果表明，饲粮钙和非植酸磷水平为0.62%和0.35%时，可使1～21日龄肉仔鸡获得最佳生长性能，且对其血清钙、磷含量及碱性磷酸酶活性无明显不良影响。     

饲粮非植酸磷水平对0-4周龄怀乡鸡趾骨特性及内脏器官发育的影响

试验旨在研究不同非植酸磷水平的饲粮对0-4周龄怀乡鸡的趾骨特性及内脏器官发育状况的影响,以此探讨0-4周龄怀乡鸡饲粮非植酸磷的适宜水平。选取同批出生、体况良好的1日龄怀乡鸡300只,随机分成5个处理组,每个处理组6个重复,每重复10只鸡。各处理组分别饲喂非植酸磷含量为0.32%、0.39%、0.46%、0.53%、0.60%的玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,试验持续期28天。结果表明:1)饲粮非植酸磷水平对怀乡鸡的趾骨脱脂风干重、趾骨脱脂钙含量、趾骨灰分钙含量、趾骨脱脂磷含量、趾骨灰分磷含量有显著影响(P<0.05),其最佳拟合曲线分别为二次曲线(R2=80.22%)、线性折线(R^2=69.19%)、线性折线(R^2=69.78%)、线性折线(R^2=68.70%)、线性折线(R^2=69.02%),拟合结果可用于评价怀乡鸡饲粮非植酸磷的适宜水平。2)饲粮非植酸磷水平对怀乡鸡的心脏指数有显著影响(P<0.05),其线性折线(R^2=57.59%)模型的拟合结果可用于评价怀乡鸡饲粮非植酸磷的适宜水平。建议0~4周龄怀乡鸡饲粮中NPP的适宜水平在0.46%~0.50%范围,满足骨骼发育的需要量为0.46%。     

日粮高水平非植酸磷对肉鹅生长性能、胫骨成分含量及钙磷代谢的影响

文章旨在研究日粮高水平非植酸磷对肉鹅生长性能、胫骨成分含量及钙磷代谢的影响。试验选择平均体重为(159.18±0.48)g的1日龄扬州肉鹅300只,随机分为3组,每组4个重复,每个重复25只。试验1阶段基础日粮以玉米和豆粕为主,非植酸磷水平为0.6%,另外两组分别在基础日粮中调节磷酸氢钙添加量,使日粮非植酸磷水平分别为0.3%和0.9%;试验2阶段各组非植酸磷水平分别为0.2%、0.5%和0.8%,试验共进行64 d。结果显示:随着日粮非植酸磷水平的升高,1~21 d肉鹅体重、平均日采食量和平均日增重表现为显著的二次曲线效应(P0.05),其中0.9%非植酸磷组较0.6%非植酸磷组显著降低了1~21 d肉鹅体重、平均日增重和平均日采食量(P0.05)。0.3%和0.9%非植酸磷组较0.6%非植酸磷组对胫骨相对长度提高了4.71%和7.51%(P0.05),0.2%较0.8%非植酸磷组对胫骨钙的含量提高了31.24%(P0.05)。随着日粮非植酸磷水平的升高,1~21 d肉鹅血清钙、磷、甲状旁腺素、骨钙素的含量及碱性磷酸酶活力显著线性降低(P0.05);0.6%和0.9%非植酸磷水平组较0.3%非植酸磷水平组显著降低了1~21 d肉鹅血清钙、磷、甲状旁腺素、骨钙素含量及碱性磷酸酶活力(P0.05)。结果表明:由本试验结果可知,日粮低非植酸磷水平降低肉鹅生长性能,抑制钙、磷代谢,同时降低肉鹅生长早期的血清生化指标。     

22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡钙需要量研究

本试验旨在研究不同饲粮钙水平对22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡生长性能、胫骨性能和血清生化指标的影响,探讨22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡的钙需要量。试验选用22日龄岭南黄羽肉公鸡1 200只,分为6个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复40只鸡。处理1(对照组)肉鸡饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮(钙水平为0.45%),处理2～6(试验组)肉鸡饲喂在基础饲粮中添加不同水平石粉的试验饲粮,饲粮钙水平分别为0.60%、0.75%、0.90%、1.05%和1.20%,其他营养水平各处理基本一致。试鸡自由采食与饮水。试验期21 d。结果表明:1)在基础饲粮中添加钙显著提高了试鸡42日龄体重和平均日增重(P<0.05),显著降低了料重比(P<0.05),0.75%、0.90%、1.05%和1.20%钙水平组平均日采食量显著低于对照组和0.60%钙水平组(P<0.05)。2)不同饲粮钙水平对试鸡胫骨鲜重无显著影响(P>0.05),而对胫骨折断力、脱脂胫骨干重、胫骨灰分含量、脱脂胫骨灰分含量、脱脂胫骨中钙和磷含量、胫骨灰分中钙和磷含量影响显著(P<0.05),0.90%和1.05%钙水平组胫骨性能指标均显著优于对照组(P<0.05)。3)不同饲粮钙水平对试鸡血清钙、磷含量无显著影响(P>0.05)。综合得出,以生长性能和胫骨性能为评定指标,22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡钙需要量分别为0.60%和0.90%。     

不同锰源与锰水平对肉仔鸡生产性能和组织矿物元素沉积的影响

为研究不同锰源与锰水平对肉仔鸡的生产性能与组织矿物元素沉积的影响,试验采用2×5完全随机试验设计,在玉米—豆粕型基础日粮(锰含量为37.66mg/kg)中添加0、45、90、130、180mg/kg(5个锰添加水平)的复合氨基酸锰和硫酸锰(2种锰源),构成10个日粮处理组,将540只1日龄健康艾维茵肉仔鸡随机分为10个处理组,开展肉仔鸡饲养试验(共42d)。于35日龄时测定其生产性能指标,计算料肉比;于42日龄时测定其胫骨、肝脏、肾脏组织中铜、铁、锌浓度以及胫骨灰分、钙及磷含量。结果表明,在上述日粮中,锰添加量在45~130mg/kg时,无论是添加复合氨基酸锰组还是添加硫酸锰组35日龄肉仔鸡体重和采食量较未添加组差异显著(P≤0.05),经分析,锰水平对其平均体重及采食量有极显著影响(P<0.01);不同锰源的35日龄肉仔鸡体重、采食量、料肉比差异不显著(P >0.05)。42日龄肉仔鸡胫骨、肝脏、肾脏组织中铜、锌、铁含量及胫骨灰分、钙磷含量未受锰源和锰水平及两者互作的显著影响(P >0.05)。由以上结果可以得出,锰水平对肉仔鸡生长性能有极显著影响(P<0.01);锰源对肉仔鸡生产性能无显著影响(P >0.05);锰源和锰水平及两者互作对肉仔鸡组织矿物元素沉积无显著影响(P >0.05)。     

Foot Ash as a Means of Quantifying Bone Mineralization in Chicks

Three studies were conducted to evaluate foot ash as an alternative method to quantify the degree of bone mineralization in broiler chicks. In Experiment 1, the objective was to evaluate whether degree of bone mineralization would be reflected by foot ash in broiler chickens at 14 d of age. Birds receiving 0.24, 0.32, or 0.40% of dietary available phosphorus (AP) demonstrated significant differences in foot ash (10.93, 13.46, and 15.45%, respectively). In Experiment 2, we determined that the time required for a foot sample to dry to a constant weight at 105°C was 48 h. In Experiment 3, the objectives were to compare the response of bone mineralization to dietary phosphorus levels as reflected by foot ash and tibia bone ash and to evaluate the effect of fat extraction on the determination of these parameters. Broiler chicks were fed graded levels of AP (0.25, 0.30, 0.35, and 0.40%) from 1 to 14 d of age. Significantly different responses between each dietary AP level could be detected by any method used. A significant linear response was observed between dietary AP and percentage of extracted or unextracted tibia or foot ash, with determination coefficients above 90% found for all 4 methods used. Results confirmed that the dietary phosphorus levels affected bone mineralization and that the degree of mineralization could reliably be reflected by foot ash. The assay was found to be as reliable as the tibia bone ash in reflecting degree of bone mineralization in chicks during the first 14 d of age. Fat extraction did not affect the reliability of either assay.     

30～60kg生长猪钙需要量研究

本试验旨在研究饲粮钙水平对猪生长性能、胫骨性能及血清生化指标的影响,探讨30～60kg生长猪的适宜钙需要量.试验采用单因子完全随机试验设计,将30头初重(34.2±2.1)kg的“杜×长×大”生长猪随机分为5个组,每组6个重复,每个重复l头猪.各组分别饲喂钙水平为0.45％(对照组)、0.50％、0.55％、0.60％和0.65％的玉米-豆粕型试验饲粮.预试期5d,正试期28d.结果表明:1)饲粮钙水平对料重比影响不显著(P＞0.05).0.55％、0.60％钙水平组平均日采食量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),0.50％、0.55％钙水平组平均日增重显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).2)饲粮钙水平对试验猪的胫骨长度、胫骨鲜重、胫骨相对重量影响不显著(P＞0.05).0.55％、0.60％、0.65％钙水平组脱脂胫骨灰分含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),0.55％和0.60％钙水平组胫骨灰分钙含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),0.55％、0.60％、0.65％钙水平组胫骨灰分磷含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).3)饲粮钙水平对血清钙、磷含量无显著影响(P＞0.05),0.45％、0.50％和0.65％钙水平组血清碱性磷酸酶活性显著高于0.55％和0.60％钙水平组(P＜0.05).综上所述,饲粮钙水平为0.55％时,30～60kg生长猪获得较好的生长性能；饲粮钙水平为0.60％时,30～60kg生长猪获得较好的胫骨性能.     

日粮不同钙水平对仔猪血液BMP-2和胫骨性能的影响

试验通过研究日粮不同钙水平对仔猪血液中骨形态发生蛋白2、胫骨钙含量、骨灰分及骨密度的影响,探讨仔猪日粮中钙水平的适合添加量。试验采用单因子完全随机试验设计,将60头杜长大仔猪(体重21.8±2.1kg)分成6个处理,每个处理设10个重复,每个重复1头猪。各处理分别饲喂钙水平为0.3%、0.45%、0.6%、0.75%、0.9%、1.05%的玉米-豆粕型试验日粮。预饲期为7d,试验期28d。结果表明:随着日粮钙水平的提高,血清中骨形态发生蛋白2的含量呈现先增大后减小的趋势(P0.05),并且钙含量为0.75%时,出现最大值(P0.05);日粮中不同钙水平对胫骨钙含量的影响显著(P0.05),且在日粮钙水平为0.75%时,骨钙含量最大;随着日粮钙水平的提高,胫骨灰分含量呈现先增大后减小的趋势(P0.05),并且钙含量为0.75%时,出现最大值(P0.05);日粮不同钙水平对胫骨密度影响显著,随着日粮钙水平的提高呈现先增大后减小的趋势(P0.05),并且钙含量为0.75%时,出现最大值(P0.05)。综上所述,日粮钙水平为0.75%时,仔猪血清中骨形态发生蛋白2含量最大,仔猪胫骨性能最佳。     

Effects of dietary calcium, available phosphorus and vitamin D on growth rate, food utilisation, plasma and bone constituents and calcium and phosphorus retention of commercial broiler strains

1. The effects of different dietary concentrations of calcium (Ca), available phosphorus (AP) and vitamin D (D) on 5- to 16-day growth performance, and aspects of calcium and phosphorus (P) metabolism of chickens from three commercial strains were studied in two experiments. 2. Increasing dietary Ca reduced weight gain, tibia Ca and P content and increased plasma total Ca, Ca consumption and excretion, whilst dietary Ca at 32 g/kg increased tibia Ca:P ratio, plasma ionized calcium and reduced plasma P, tibia ash, P excretion, excreta moisture and Ca retention. 3. Increasing dietary AP reduced plasma total and ionized Ca and excreta moisture and increased P consumption and excretion, plasma P and tibia ash. 4. The addition of vitamin D increased plasma total and ionized Ca, tibia Ca:P ratio and reduced plasma sodium and P concentrations. 5. Strains differed in their tibia contents of Ca and Ca:P ratios, in response to Ca, AP and vitamin D diets whilst they differed in Ca excretion and excreta moisture caused by feeding either dietary Ca or AP. 6. It was concluded that dietary Ca, AP, vitamin D and strain of broiler chickens influenced the metabolism of Ca and P and that, as a consequence, the tolerance to high dietary Ca. A lean strain of chickens tolerated high dietary calcium better than its fat counterparts.     

High vitamin D3 requirements in broilers for bone quality and prevention of tibial dyschondroplasia and interactions with dietary calcium, available phosphorus and vitamin A

1. Two experiments were carried out to investigate responses in performance and bone compositional and structural characteristics in broilers fed diets containing 4 concentrations of vitamin D3 (5, 20, 125 and 250 microg cholecalciferol/kg) at different concentrations of calcium, available phosphorus and vitamin A. 2. In experiment 1, body weight and tibia breaking strength were maximised at 14d with 250 microg vitamin D3/kg, tibia ash was maximised with 125 microg vitamin D3/kg. A high incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) was decreased to very low levels with 125 microg vitamin D/kg. 3. At 42d, performance and bone characteristics showed no response to vitamin D3 concentrations above 20 microg/kg. 4. Dietary vitamin A within the range 2-4 to 4.5 mg retinol/kg did not show any interaction with vitamin D3 status at either age. 5. In experiment 2, responses to vitamin D3 were strongly influenced by dietary calcium/available phosphorus. With 13 g calcium and 5 g available phosphorus/kg, performance and bone characteristics responded to vitamin D3 concentrations up to 125 microg/kg but more was needed at less optimal concentrations of calcium and available phosphorus. TD incidence was minimised with 250 microg/kg. 6. This study shows that high dietary concentrations of vitamin D3 can prevent TD. It is concluded that the vitamin D3 requirement of broilers up to 14 d of age at optimal dietary calcium and available phosphorus concentrations may be in the range 35 to 50 microg/kg for cortical bone quality and up to 250 microg/kg for prevention of TD. The vitamin D3 requirement for cortical bone quality after 14 d is not higher than 20 microg/kg. These requirements are much higher than earlier estimates and may be related to higher calcium requirements of modern broiler genotypes. Current regulations limiting maximum vitamin D3 concentrations in broiler starter diets may need to be reviewed.     

Effects of dietary metabolisable energy, calcium and phosphorus on bone mineralisation, leg weakness and performance of broiler chickens

1. Performance, gait score (GS), tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), and tibia bone mineralisation and breaking strength were determined in 2880 male and female Ross 208 broilers fed on diets with two different concentrations of dietary metabolisable energy (ME) (11.00 or 12.00 MJ/kg) and 4 different concentrations of available phosphorus (aP) adjusted for dietary ME content (4.0, 4.5, 5.0 or 5.5 g/kg aP in starter and 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 g/kg aP in finisher diets containing 12.00 MJ/kg). 2. Tibia ash, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents in broilers given diets with low ME (11.00 MJ/kg) were greater than those of broilers given diets with higher ME (12.00 MJ/kg). Tibia ash, Ca and P contents increased curvilinearly with increasing dietary aP content. The dietary aP level had no effect on GS. 3. Dietary concentration of ME or aP had no effect on tibia breaking strength. 4. Walking ability, as measured by GS, was negatively correlated with the body weight (BW) of tested birds at 23 and 35 d of age, but the dietary ME content or aP level had no significant effect on GS at 35 d of age. 5. The results indicated that bone mineral content had no clear correlation with the walking ability of broilers.