Influence of limestone and phytase on broiler performance, gastrointestinal pH, and apparent ileal nutrient digestibility

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of 2 levels of dietary Ca from limestone and 3 levels of phytase on broiler performance, bone ash, gastrointestinal pH, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of Ca, P, and amino acids. Cobb 500 broilers (n = 576) were allowed access to one of 6 corn-soy diets from 0 to 16 d. Experimental diets contained 1.03% or 0.64% Ca from limestone and 0.61% total P. Each diet was supplemented with 0, 500, or 5,000 FTU/kg of phytase to create a 2 x 3 factorial experiment. Broiler feed intake (FI) and BW gain were not affected by dietary Ca or phytase. Feed conversion ratio was improved (P < 0.05) as dietary phytase increased (1.36, 1.34, and 1.31, respectively). Tibia ash percent was reduced (P < 0.05) from 41.4 to 40.0% as dietary Ca decreased but increased with phytase addition (P < 0.05). Gizzard and ileal pH were reduced (P < 0.05) in broilers fed 0.64% Ca compared with broilers fed 1.03% Ca. Phytase at 5,000 FTU/kg increased (P < 0.05) pH in the gizzard, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Apparent ileal P digestibility was increased (P < 0.05) in broilers fed 0.64% Ca compared with broilers fed 1.03% Ca (0.68 vs. 0.73, respectively). Apparent ileal Ca digestibility was increased (P < 0.05) in broilers fed 1.03% Ca compared with broilers fed 0.64% Ca (0.67 vs. 0.53, respectively). Phytase improved AID of CP in broilers fed 1.0% Ca but did not have an effect on AID of CP in broilers fed 0.64% Ca, which resulted in a Ca x phytase interaction (P < 0.05). In conclusion, high dietary Ca increased pH in gizzard and ileum and interfered with the AID of P and CP. The interactions between Ca and phytase in the gastrointestinal tract are complex, and feeding phytase at doses above industry recommendations may allow for reduced-Ca diets while maintaining broiler performance, bone ash, and improving amino acid digestibility.