Influence of dietary beef tallow and calcium supplementation on Ca and P absorption rate and performance of broiler chickens

The effects of different levels of dietary fat on calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) absorption growth performance, Ca and P percentages of plasma, bone and ash were studied in broiler chickens (Ross 308) during 56-days rearing period. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks randomly assigned to eight experimental groups, three replicates (10 birds per each) of both sex. The experimental groups with a 4 x 2 factorial design received either four levels of fat (0, 2, 4 & 6% of diet) or two levels of Ca (1 or 2% of diet). The results showed that administration of different fat levels to broiler diets were significantly improved growth performance (P less than 0.01). Also Ca and P concentration of plasma, bone and ash were increased (P less than 0.01) with the exception of bone ash (BA) (P greater than 0.01). The interaction between fat and Ca for bone P and plasma Ca and P was detected (P less than 0.01). There were no interactions detected for feed intake, feed efficiency, carcass weight, ash P and bone Ca and P (P greater than 0.05). From these results, it was concluded that a combination of 2% animal fat and 1 or 2% Ca provides more suitable performance in broiler chickens and this combination could improve Ca and P absorption; however, higher levels of supplemented fat may decrease absorption rate.