Mineral Profile of Broilers Birds Fed Zinc Bacitracin on Different Protein Diets

This experiment is to determine the effect of protein sources (plant and animal based) and Zinc bacitracin a growth promoter on the mineral profiles of broiler chickens. Two trials were conducted, comprising of 240 day-old chicks, and 120 day-old chicks respectively, they were housed in a battery cage in a single pen, randomly distributed into four (4) major groups and fed the following diets; A - diet composed of plant protein, B - diet composed of animal protein, C - diet composed of plant protein + Zinc bacitracin and D - diet composed of animal protein + Zinc bacitracin. Zinc bacitracin was included at 300g per tonne. The feeding trial lasted for six (6) weeks. On terminating the feeding trial, 30 marked birds from each group were slaughtered, for bone sample collection. The left thighbone and claws were collected from each broiler for Calcium and Phosphorus analysis. The collected left thighbones and claws of each broiler were de-skinned, dried and ash in a muffle furnace and the ash used for Calcium and Phosphorus analyses. Broilers receiving plant protein had significantly higher calcium levels in both bone and claws (P < 0.05). The inclusion of Zinc bacitracin lowered Ca levels significantly in both plant and animal protein diets. Phosphorus levels in both bone and claws, in all treatments showed no significant differences. Thighbone + claws Ca:P ratio were higher for both broilers receiving plant protein ration, but no significant difference (P > 0.05).