Effect of Dietary Calcium on the Performance of Commercial Chicken

M. Z. Talpur†, M. I. Rind†, A. Memon†, F. N. Shar* and N. A. Ujjan*

†Department of Poultry Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam; *Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Science, Uthal, Baluchistan.

ABSTRACT

Calcium (Ca) is an important chemical element, essential for mineralization of bones and shells in poultry. The present study investigated the effect of supplementing calcium on the growth performance in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks (n = 60) were divided into three groups A, B and C (n = 20 birds/group) reared as 1%, 2% and 3% Ca supplemented groups. The parameters studied were feed intake, water intake, live body weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and weights of different internal visceral organs. Feed intake (p < 0.05), water intake (p < 0.01) and dressing percentage (p < 0.05) were higher in the group supplemented with 1% calcium. Body, carcass, liver, heart, spleen, gizzard and intestine weighed greatest in 3% calcium-supplemented group. The mortality observed was 5% in each group and net profit in Pakistani rupees (Rs.) was 56.4, 59.4 and 70.2 per bird for group A, B and C, respectively. The dietary Ca showed positive impacts on commercial chicken and 3% Ca supplemented ration earned more profit in terms of better growth performance.
Key Words: Commercial chicken; performance; dietary calcium.

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