Sinurat, A.P.; Dharsana, R.; Pasaribu, T.; Panggabean, T.; Habibie, A.
Description:
An experiment was conducted to study the utilization of local rock phosphate or natural defluorirutted calcium phosphate (NDCP) as phosphorus source for broilers by using the imported dicalcium phosphate (DCP) as a reference . The study was designed by formulating 6 experimental diets which consist of 2 phosphorus sources (DCP dan NDCP) and 3 dietary total P levels (0 .55 ; 0.65 and 0 .75%) . Each diet was fed to 60 chickens (10 replicates with 6 birds each) from three day old to 6 weeks of age . Parameters observed were feed consumption, body weight gain, mortality, Ca and P retention, and ash content of tibia bones . Results showed that dietary phosphorus levels (0 .55 to 0 .75 %) did not significantly affect body weight gain, feed consumption, and mortalities . However, better feed conversion ratio was obtained when dietary phosphorus level was 0 .55% . The NDCP treated birds could significantly gain heavier weight compared with those received DCP, although this improvement was also followed by an increase in the feed consumption . The relative biological value of phosphorus in NDCP was 101 `7n . It is concluded that NDCP can he used in broilers diet to replace DCP as phosphorus source .