Effect of grape vinegar and Bacillus Licheniformis on tibia morphometric characteristics of broiler chickens in high calcium/phosphorus ratio

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine theeffect of grape vinegarand Bacillus Licheniformis on tibia morphometric characteristics of broiler chickens in high calcium/phosphorus ratio.Materials Methods: 560 one-day-old female broilers(Ross 308) were reared in factorial experiment 2×2×2withtwo levels of natural grape vinegar(0, 3 kg per 100 kgfeed) and two levels of Bacillus Lechniformis probiotic which isolated from intestine of local broiler chickens(0, 2 ml (6×10^8 bacteria) per one liter of drinking water) and two levels of calcium/phosphorus ratio ofdiet (normal(2:1) and high(5:1)) which wereused from first day until 28 days.Broilers were randomly divided into eighttreatments, five replicates with 14 birds in each. In 28 days, three birds from each treatment were randomly selected, weighted and thenslaughtered to determine tibia morphometric characteristics (such as tibia weight, relative weight of tibiato live body weight,density, volume, diameter, total length, diaphysislength, proximal and distal epiphysis lengths,tibiaweight to total length ratio and total length todiameter ratio).Results Conclusion: The results indicated thatbroilers which fed high calcium/phosphorus ratio havesignificantly higher relative weightof tibia, volumeand proximal epiphysis length(p 0.05).While, broilers whichreceivedgrape vinegar in their feed havehighertotal length and diaphysis length (p 0.001), proximal and distal epiphysis lengths,tibia weight and volume (p 0.05).However, the use of Bacillus Lechniformisin drinking water significantly increased relative weight of tibia (p 0.05).The lowest levels oftotal length, distal epiphysis length(p 0.001),tibia weight and volume (p 0.05) were observed in high calcium/phosphorus ratio+ Bacillus Lechniformistreatment. Also, diaphysislengthaffected by high calcium/phosphorus ratio + grape vinegar+ Bacillus Lechniformistreatment (p 0.05). Treatments have nosignificant effect on diameter, tibiaweight to total length ratio and total length todiameter ratio(P 0.05).