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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #143571
Title: Rearing temperature is inconsequential to broiler phosphorus excretion

Author
item Miles, Dana
item Simmons, John
item Sistani, Karamat
item Rowe, Dennis
item LOTT, B - MISS STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/26/2003
Publication Date: 12/1/2003
Citation: Miles, D.M., Sistani, K.R., Rowe, D.E., Branton, S.L., Lott, B.D. 2003. Rearing temperature is inconsequential to broiler phosphorus excretion. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 12:389-393.

Interpretive Summary: Accountability for phosphorus (P) in confined animal feeding operations is tied to the incoming dietary P, excreted fecal P, and subsequent manure handling. Broiler litter, a mixture of manure and bedding material, has been historically spread on land near the source. Low litter nutrient levels do not permit economical transport far from this land. Excessive P levels on these lands may result from years of repeated/unmanaged litter application leading to nutrients in rainfall runoff and pollution of nearby waterways. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of rearing temperature and digestible P in the feed on the amount of P excreted by male broilers. Birds were housed at three temperatures (16, 21, and 26C) and fed three levels of digestible P (0.304%, 0.38%-the control, and 0.456%). Excreted P in the manure samples was indicative of the graded levels of P fed. However, for the 16 to 26C range, temperature does not appear to be a significant factor in the total P content of male broiler manure, nor does there appear to be a temperature, digestible P interaction.

Technical Abstract: A feeding trial was conducted to determine the influence of rearing temperature on phosphorus (P) excretion in male broilers. Experimental diets were formulated with three levels of dietary available phosphorus (aP): control at 0.38% aP, control less 20% or 0.304% aP, and control plus 20% or 0.456% aP. From 21 to 40 d of age, broilers were housed in grow-out batteries inside environmental chambers that provided constant temperature of 16, 21, or 26C. Manure was sampled at 25 d (a baseline sample where all birds had been on the control diet) then twice weekly to 40d. Excreted fecal P ranged from 1.7 to 2.3%,with a significant effect due to the dietary aP level. No influence of temperature nor a temperature and dietary aP interaction was evident under the conditions of the trial.