Utilization of urea phosphate as phosphorus source in the broiler nutrition

To evaluate urea phosphate (UP) as phosphorus source for birds, 288 chickens, one day of age, Ross line, were distributed, according to a randomized completely design, to 12 treatments: 10 with levels of 1-10 g UP/L in the drink water and UP or a dicalcium phosphate (DICAL) in feed. Twenty four birds were assigned by treatment, with four repetitions of six birds. The diets contained 22 and 20% PC, 3,100 and 3,200 Kcal EME/kg, 0.7 and 0.67 % total P and 1 to 0.90 % Ca, for starting and growing, respectively. Weekly body weight, feed and water intake were measure. At six weeks, four animals per treatment were sacrificed to extract the tibia and determine ash and P (% and Mg cm(-3)). The final body weight of the birds was more elevated (P < 0.05) in the treatments DICAL, UP and the levels with 1; 2, 3 and 4 g UP/L, with values of 1992.34; 1942.86; 1977.58; 1990.13; 1976.13; 1911.95; respectively. The feed consumption also was high (P < 0.05) for DICAL, UP and 1 to 4 g UP/L. The conversion efficiency (kg feed/kg body weight) varied from 1.6 to 2.11 being better at levels of UP in the water smaller than 4 g UP/L. The water intake (mL/bird) was superior for the levels 2 and 3 g UP/L water. The bone ash content (%, Mg cm(-3)) and P (%; mg cm(-3)) indicate a tendency to diminution of mineralization with levels above of 5g UP/L of water, without significant differences.