Effect of replacing Di-calcium phosphate with Di-ammonium phosphate in the mineral mixture for laying birds Ingewar S.M., Gupta R.S., Mathur M.M., Mukherjee S.K., Baghel R.P.S.* Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Jabalpur - 482 001, India *Reprint request: Dr. R.P.S. Baghel, Tel.: +91-761-546081 183
Abstract A feeding trial of 23 weeks (19 to 42 weeks of age) duration was conducted on one hundred laying birds randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. Treatment T1 was standard layer mash containing di-calcium phosphate (DCP) as the phosphorus source, while treatments T2, T3 and T4 consisted of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) instead of DCP at 33, 66 and 100 per cent (w/w) levels, respectively, in mineral mixture. Feed intake did not differ significantly (P<0.05) among different groups except in T3 where it was significantly lower only in comparison to T1. While feed efficiency was significantly (P<0.05) lower in birds allotted T1 and T2 diets, the per cent hen day egg production was significantly higher in birds assigned T1 and T2 diets. However, the egg weight of birds allotted T1 diet was significantly higher than other groups. Among egg quality traits, albumin index, yolk index, shell thickness and shell weights were not influenced significantly (P>0.05) due to dietary treatments. The shape index was reduced due to inclusion of higher level of DAP and was significantly lower in birds allotted T4 diet. The haugh unit improved with increasing level of DAP and was maximum in birds assigned 100 per cent DAP diet (T4). It may be concluded that DAP can be incorporated safely up to 33 per cent level in place of DCP in the mineral mixture of layers. Top Key words Di-calcium phosphate, Di-ammonium phosphate, Mineral mixture, Layers, Egg quality. Top |