Performance and Economic Evaluation of Mineral Mixtures in Broilers

In an experiment using 160 broiler chicks of commercial strain for six weeks duration, four different mineral mixtures (MM-I, MM-II, MM-III and CMM) were tested on diets containing 22 per cent CP and 3000 Kcal ME/kg. MM-I was formulated to contain 24 per cent Ca, 5 per cent P, 0.24 per cent Mn, 0.01 per cent 1, 0.25 per cent Zn, 0.01 per cent Cu, 0.10 per cent Fe, 0.006 per cent Co. The MM II and III were formulated to contain 15–20 per cent and 30–40 per cent more elements respectively in comparison to MM-I. Commercial mineral mixture (CMM) used as control was comparable to MM-II. Cumulative performance of broilers indicated maximum return over feed cost in groups assigned T? diet containing MM-III at 2 per cent level. Similar performance was noted in broilers allotted T4 diet having MM-I at 3 per cent level. Per cent retention of protein was maximum in groups receiving T8 diet while calcium and phosphorus was maximum in those assigned T5 diets. Serum calcium and phosphorus level was maximum in broilers allotted T4 diet. Although the per cent dry shank weight was maximum in diet T7 but its ash contained low percentage of calcium and phosphorus. Based on the findings, it was concluded that MM-I at 3 per cent level or MM-III at 2 per cent level is optimum and economical for broiler production.