A Comparison of Some Sources of Calcium and Phosphorus for Growing Poults and Chicks

The two most important mineral elements required for the adequate nutrition of chicks and poults are calcium and phosphorus. The National Research Council has made certain the recommended minimums for chicks and poults for the first eight week period following the hatch. Several observations and reports from growers indicated that these minimums might be too low, and experiments were planned to get information on this question. From earlier experiments conducted by the Department of Poultry Husbandry of the Agricultural Experiment Station, a mineral pre-mix formula, identified as No.57, has been developed. This mixture calls for 40.3 per cent of steamed bone meal or equivalent, as the source of supplemental calcium. Considerable interest has been expressed by feed manufacturers in a determination of the ingredients, which can be considered the equivalent of steamed bone meal in making this mineral pre-mix. Experiments, having this objective, are herein reported. Advisor: F. E. Musseh