EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF PHOSPHORUS IN BROILER DIETS

The condition of the locomotor apparatus is very often unsatisfactory in broiler production. One frequent factor is inadequate mineralizatio n of feed mixtures. The present study was undertaken to determine the possibility of use the two mineral feedstuffs - monoammonium phosphate (MAP, NH4PO4) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP, Na5P3O10), as select ive sources of phosphorus. The use of these feedstuffs has great nutri tive importance due to the relatively easy supply of adequate amounts of phosphorus, and achievement of an optimal Ca:P ratio in the diet. T he control group of chickens (DCP group) exhibited satisfactory perfor mance, adequate for Hybro broilers. The finishing body weight was 1,64 8 kg, average daily gain 34,59 g, food intake 0,065 kg/day and food co nversion 1,862 kg. Compared with group DCP, groups MAP and STPP achiev ed similar results. Group MAP had 0,06% greater body weight, 0,96% sma ller daily gain, 1,56% smaller food intake and 1,64% smaller food conv ersion ratio, At the same time, group STPP had 1,46% greater body weig ht, 1,68% greater daily gain, 3,13% greater food intake and 0,43% grea ter food conversion ratio. Serum calcium levels were almost equal for all groups, in the range 2,48 - 2,99 mmol/l. Differences between the g roups were not statistically significant. On the other hand, concentra tions of phosphorus in groups MAP and STPP were significantly higher t han in group DCP. Calcium levels in the bones were similar for all gro ups. Tibia phosphorus levels in groups MAP and STPP, and femur calcium level in group STPP were significantly higher than in group DCP. Acco rding to our results, we can conclude that usage of certain mineral fe edstuffs can support good, or even better production results than stan dard feedstuffs such as limestone and dicalcium phosphate alone. Ammon ia phosphate, as well as sodium tripolyphosphate, are suitable supplem ents in diets for broiler chickens.