Authors : F. Kanyinji, T. Maeda and N. Araki
Abstract: On the basis of experimental evidence showing that high Calcium (Ca) intake lowers blood Cholesterol (Ch) in rats, this study sought to evaluated the influence of extra dietary Ca in form of fossil shells (Aragonite) flour or its blended product (M-arago (a 1:1 mixture of Aragonite flour and fermented plant concentrate)) in broiler diets, on growth performance, blood Ch levels, Abdominal Fat Content (AFC) and bone mechanical strength in male broilers. Forty five 3 days old chunky male broiler chicks were selected by weight into 3 groups (15 chicks/treatment: 3 replications with 5 chicks/replicate)and fed ad libitum, diets containing 0 and 0.5% Aragonite flour, or 1% M-arago as extra Ca sources, until 70 days of age from hatching. Daily feed intakes, weight gains, weekly body weights and Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR) were assessed up to 63 days of age. Also, blood samples were collected at 3, 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days of age to measure Ch and Ca levels. At 70 days of age, all birds were sacrificedand the AFC and shanks were collected and weighed. Shank bones were tested for strength by measuring the fracture stress force required to break them. Daily feed intakes were similar for all the groups, but weight gains, FCR and body weights at 63 days of age were lower in treated birds than control. Blood Ch concentration was significantly lower in birds receiving extra Ca than control. In contrast, blood Ca levels in treated birds were higher than in control birds. AFC and bone mechanical strength were similar among groups. Thus, overall growth performance of treated birds was below that of control birds and decline in blood Ch and increase in blood Ca did not change their AFC or bone mechanical strength.
F. Kanyinji, T. Maeda and N. Araki, 2010. Effects of Extra Dietary Calcium in Form of Fossil Shells Flour, or a Mixture of Fossil Shells Flour and Fermented Plant Concentrate on Growth Performance, Blood Cholesterol Levels, Abdominal Fat Content and Mechanical Bone Strength in Broilers. Research Journal of Poultry Sciences, 3: 11-18.