Anionic variation of diets on bone characteristics of broilers at 7 and 14 days of age

• Published in: Revista brasileira de zootecnia Vol. 41; no. 9; pp. 2124 - 2128
• Main Authors: Araújo, Gilson Mendes, Silva, José Humberto Vilar da, Vieites, Flávio Medeiros, Moraes, George Henrique Kling de, Souza, Rafael Barbosa de, Barbosa, Anderson de Almeida, Caramori Junior, João Garcia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia 01-09-2012
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE; electrolyte balance; locomotor disorders; metabolic acid; tibiotarsus; VETERINARY SCIENCES; electrolyte balance; locomotor disorders; metabolic acid; tibiotarsus
• ISSN: 1516-3598; 1806-9290; 1516-3598; 1806-9290
• DOI: 10.1590/S1516-35982012000900021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and bone strength of the tibiotarsus of broilers at 7 and 14 days of age. Bone percentages of collagenous protein (CPr), non-collagenous protein (NCPr) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium) were determined. The experiment utilized 650 male Cobb chicks at one day of age, fed corn and soybean meal-based diets. The experimental design was of random blocks with five treatments, five replicates and 26 birds per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of a basal diet supplementated with NH4Cl to obtain five levels (-50, 0, 50, 100 and 150 mEq/kg) of electrolyte balance (EB). The levels of EB influenced the following characteristics: ash and potassium content; Ca:P ratio and the breaking strength (at 7 days); and phosphorus and potassium contents and breaking strength (at 14 days). At the starter phase of rearing, the supply of acidogenic diets affected the concentrations of potassium and phosphorus in the bone tissue, without altering the organic fraction.