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Effect of Calcium, Phosphorus, and Energy On The Incidence of Weak Legs In Heavy Male Broilers

Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701; Phone: (501) 575-6531; FAX: (501) 575-7294

Correspondence: T. S. Nelson

Two feeding trials were conducted to study the effects of calcium, phosphorus, and energy on the incidence of weak legs in broilers grown to 8 weeks of age. Chicks with a stilted gait and those reluctant to move or refusing to walk were considered to have weak legs. Trial 1 consisted of three treatments in which chicks were fed corn-soybean meal-based diets containing different levels (Treatment 1<2<3) of available phosphorous (aP) and calcium (Ca). No differences occurred in body weights and feed efficiency through 6 weeks. During the 6 to 8-week period, chicks in Treatment 1 gained less (P<.05) than chicks in Treatments 2 and 3. Percentage bone ash and circumference of the middle of the bone shaft were not different among treatments. Normal chicks had longer (P<.05) bones than chicks with weak legs. Chicks with weak legs had greater bone volume (P<.05) and a higher percentage of crooked bones (P<.05) than normal chicks. A deficiency of aP and Ca was not the cause of the weak legs in these heavy male broilers.

Trial 2 consisted of three treatments in which chicks were fed diets containing varying levels of metabolizable energy (ME)/kg during the starting and growing periods. Body weight and feed efficiency were unaffected by anytreatment during any period of the trial. The number of chicks with weak legs at 8 weeks was unaffected by diet. Chicks with weak legs had a greater bone volume (P<.05) and a higher percentage of crooked bones (P<.05) than normal chicks.

Key Words: Chick • weak legs • calcium • phosphorous • energy