EFFECTS OF REPLACEMENT OF DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE BY OYSTER SHELLS AS A SOURCE OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IN BROILER RATIONS ON FEED INTAKE AND PERFORMANCE

This study was conducted at the University of Kordofan with the objective of evaluating effects of replacement of dicalcium phosphate with varying levels of oyster shell in broiler rations on feed intake and performance. Two hundred one day old unsexed commercial broiler chicks (Hubbard) were divided randomly into five groups of equal initial body weight and four replicates. Each group was randomly given one of the five treatment diets with oyster shell and dicalcium phosphate with 100% Dicalcuim (A) replaced by 25, 50 and 75 and 100% oyster shell (B,C,D,E respectively). The experiment was a complete randomized design. The chicks were maintained on twenty four hours light with feed and water provided ad libitum. Feed intake and body weight were weekly recorded. Feed conversion ratio was calculated at the end of the experimental period. The data were analyzed via analysis of variance. The differences among treatment means were detected via Duncan multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that no significant differences (p>0.05) were recorded in feed intake and body weight gain of treatment that could be attributed to type Ca and P source except when the replacement increased over 50%. The results also showed no significant differences (P>0.05) among treatments in overall performance except for feed conversion ratio. Treatment (C) and (E) were significantly (P< 0.05) better in feed utilization in the 6th week. The feed cost per kg live weight was significantly (P>0.05) reduced with the increasing level of oyster shell in addition to provision of sufficient Ca and P for broiler chicks. It was concluded that Oyster shell could replace Dicalcuim phosphate without negative effects on chick performance. It recommended that studies be conducted to evaluate effects of replacement on meat quality.