Phosphorus bioavailability of locally produced monodicalcium phosphate relative to imported monodicalcium phosphate in diets of young and old chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) layers

Two simultaneous experiments were conducted to determine the phosphorus bioavailability of locally produced mono-dicalcium phosphate (MDCP) relative to imported MDCP in diets of young (25-37 weeks) and old (55-67 weeks) layer chickens. In each trial, two hundred seventy birds raised in cages with three birds each were used. Birds were randomly distributed to six treatments following a 2 X 3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD). Available phosphorus (AP) levels of 0.30, 0.35 and 0.40% were used. For both experiments, each treatment was replicated fifteen times. In both experiments, source and level of available phosphorus in the diets had no signficant interaction on the performance parameters, calcium and phosphorus content of toes of pullets and hens. On the averages pullets and hens fed with imported and with local mono-dicalcium phosphate had no significant differences in all the performance parameters considered. The source or level of available phosphorus did not significantly affect the ash, calcium and phosphorus contents of the toes of pullets. On the other hand, there was a significant interaction between imported mono-dicalcium phosphate and level of available phosphorus on ash content of toes of hens. With imported mono-dicalcium phosphate, the ash content of toes increased with increased level of available phosphorus. Old layers fed 0.30% available phosphorus had significantly higher (0.50%) toe phosphorus than those fed 0.35%. Increased available phosphorus to 0.40% had no significant effect on phosphorus content of toes. On the average, imported mono-dicalcium phosphate yielded higher income over feed cost than the local mono-dicalcium phosphate is comparable to imported mono-dicalcium phosphate. Locally produced mono-dicalcium phosphate in supporting the performance of young and old layer chickens.