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Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements for Growing Chicks*
CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENTS FOR GROWING CHICKS* II.
STUDIES W I T H NATURAL MINERALS UNDER RACHITIC CONDITIONS
W. C. TULLY, S. M. HAUGE, C. W. CARRICK, ASD ROY E. ROBERTS Agricultural Experiment Station, Purdue University
EXPERIMENTAL
The general plan of these experiments as regards the methods of selection, feeding, and management of the chicks and the records kept were the same as used in the preceeding experiments. 1 In the four trials reported in this paper Barred Plymouth Rock chicks were used. As in the previous experiments, precautions were taken to prevent the exposure of the chicks to direct sunlight, or even direct skylight. The composition of the rations is given in Tables I and II. The results obtained are given in Table I I and Chart 1. Trial I—Four lots of 16 chicks each were used in this trial. The amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the rations were varied by using different levels of oyster shell and steamed bone meal. Lots 1, 2, and 3 received respectively 3, 4, and 5 per cent each of oyster shell and steamed bone meal, while Lot 4 received 5 per cent of oyster shell and 2 per cent of steamed bone meal. These mineral additions varied the calcium-phosphorus ratio from 1:0.342 to 1:0.238. No lot received any vitamin D. Rickets was first nticeable in all lots at the same time, about three and a half weeks. There were no visible differences in the degree of rickets in the first three lots, but Lot 4 had more pro* Published with the approval of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Purdue University.
310
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(Received for Publication 4-4-31) In the preceding paper 1 experiments were reported in which studies were made of the calcium-phosphorus requirements of growing chicks under rachitic conditions. The minerals consisted of salt mixtures in which the calcium-phosphorus ratio was varied as well as the levels of mineral in the ration. Since satisfactory growth was not attained with these salt mixtures, it seemed advisable to use natural minerals in these studies.
NATURAL MINERALS
UNDER RACHITIC
CONDITIONS
311
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CHART 1
Growth curves of the chicks that lived through the experiments. The figures under each lot indicate the number of chicks started and the number which lived through (16-9, under Lot 1, means that 16 chicks were started and 9 lived through). All lots in Trial 3 received 0.01 per cent of activated ergosterol during the first four weeks and 0.02 per cent thereafter. In Trial 4, Lot 16 received two per cent of cod liver oil, Lot 17 received 0.02 per cent of activated ergosterol, Lot 18 received 0.02 per cent of activated ergosterol during the first four weeks and 0.04 per cent thereafter, Lot 19 was irradiated, and Lot 20 received no vitamin D.
POULTRY
312
SCIENCE
nouneed rickets than any of the others. The same was true at eight weeks of age when the chicks in Lot 4 had quite severe rickets, while in the remaining three peris most chicks had only noticeable rickets, a few even being almost free. At eight weeks of age the surviving chicks in Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 averaged respectively 403, 395, 378, and 315 grams, and the mortality was 7, 10, 9, and 8 chicks. T A B L E I—BASAL RATIONS No. '2
|
No. 3
15 5
15
j
15
5 5
5 5
Lard Ground Yellow Corn
2
-
-
Sodium Chloride
1
1
Potassium Chloride Ferrous Lactate
-
1.3
Casein Liver Meal Dried Brewer's Yeast Corn Germs
Magnesium
Sulphate
Salad Oil Activated
Ergosterol
Degerminated Yellow Corn
I
No. 1
|
5
5 5 |
50 1 .2 .44
2
-
.01 first 4 wks. _ .02 after 4 wks. To m a k e 100 To m a k e 100 To m a k e 100
_
Trial II—This experiment was an extension of Trial I, since good results had attended the use of oyster shell and steamed bone meal as sources of calcium and phosphorus. Four lots of 14 chicks each were used. Lots 5, 6, 7, and 8 received respectively 4, 5, 5, and 6 per cent each of oyster shell and steamed bone meal. The only difference in the rations of Lots 6 and 7 was that the lard was omitted in that of Lot 7. These mineral additions varied the calcium-phosphorus ratio from 1:0.303 to 1:0.26. No lot received any vitamin D. At approximately three and a half weeks, rickets was noticeable in all lots, and at no time during the eight weeks of the experiment was rickets more severe in one lot than in any other. At eight weeks of age nearly all chicks had severe rickets, while in a few the disease was only noticeable.
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Ingredients
NATURAL MINERALS
UNDER RACHITIC
CONDITIONS
313
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At eight weeks of age the surviving chicks in Lots 5, 6, 7, and 8, averaged respectively 316, 357, 310, and 318 grams, and the mortality was 3, 2, 2, and 1 chicks. Trial III—Since dicalcium phosphate had proved unsatisfactory as the only source of phosphorus in mineral mixture No. 3, reported in the previous paper 1 , it was decided to use tricalcium phosphate as a source of phosphorus, the calcium to be obtained from the same source, supplemented with calcium carbonate. Analysis of the Ca3 ( P 0 4 ) 2 showed that it contained only 11.18 per cent phosphorus. The calculations of the phosphorus and calcium content of the various mineral mixtures were based upon the analyses. Seven lots of 17 chicks each were used in this trial. The composition of the rations as well as that of the mineral mixtures is shown in Tables I and I I . "While the proportions of calcium and phosphorus were varied, all lots received the same total amount of mineral. The Ca C0 3 and the Ca3 ( P 0 4 ) 2 were used in the following proportions in Lots 9 to 15; 6:2, 5:3, 4.5: 3.5, 4:4, 3:5, 2:6, and 1:7. In this trial it was decided tb use a limited, though inadequate, supply of vitamin D. As a source of vitamin D a commercial product of irradiated ergosterol was used. In order to secure an even distribution of such a concentrated product with the feed, dilution was essential and salad oil was used. Since in other trials not reported levels equivalent to less than one per cent of cod liver oil did not measurably offset the incidence of rickets, 0.01 per cent of the activated ergosterol, supposedly equivalent to one per cent of cod liver oil, was used at the start of the experiment. Since rickets was first noticed in some lots at 27 days of age, the amount of the activated product was increased to 0.02 per cent at this time. ' i The results of this trial are given in Table I I and Chart 1. Rickets was prevalent in all lots. At seven weeks of age, commencing with Lot 9, consecutive lots averaged respectively 186, 217, 230, 224, 239, 227, and 227 grams. These weights are of little significance because of the high mortality in all lots. The mortality for the consecutive lots was 65, 59, 47, 71, 53, 24, and 76 per cent. No explanation is offered for the high mortality ex-
10
5 2 4 4 5 5
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 2
Basal No. 2
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Ca Co., Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2 * Ca Co3 Ca., ( P 0 4 ) 2
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1 Basal No. 1 (Lard omitted)
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
5 5
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1
4 4
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1
Source
5 3
6 2
5 5 6 6
CO
2
u
Ration
Cain Ration Per Cent 3.32
4.49
3.77
3.77
3.04
2.77
3.77
3.04
2.31
P in Ration Per Cent 0.62
1.17
1.05
1.05
0.92
0.66
1.05
0.92
0.79
1:0.19
1:0.26
1:0.279
1:0.279
1:0.303
1:0.238
1:0.279
1:0.303
1:0.342
Ca:P Ratio
3.30 J 0.74 1:0.22 (Continued below)
Per Cent CO
1
Trial No.
17
17
14
14
14
14
16
16
16
16
10
9
13
12
12
11
14
11
10
14
179
154
241
237
248
230
283
305
331
293
dSa >S.a
Six;Wj|eks Bight Weeks
7
' 6f
10
11
10
11
8
7
6
9
..
Activated Ergosterol
217 .01 to .02%
186t .01 to .02% t
318
310
357
316
315
378
395
403
No. Chicks Alive Average Weight Gm.
Mineral Additions No. Chicks Started
T A B L E I I — S H O W I N G T H E P L A N S OF T H E E X P E R I M E N T S W I T H SUMMABY OF T H E R E S U L T S
oaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 9, 2015 35.7
39.0
34.5
33.4
35.3
33.0
27.9
38.3
32.1
35.8
Ash in Fat-free Tibiae Per Cent
Basal N o . - 3
1:0.24
14
1:0.324
14
7
7
14
17
17
17
17
17
No. Chicks Started
1:0.324
1:0.324
1:0.324
1:0.36
1:0.33
0.79 1:0.324
0.79
2.44 2.44
0.79
0.79
0.79
1.18
1.07
2.44
2.44
2.44
.3.25
3.27
0.96 1:0.29
* Ca, (PO.)„ contained 37.14% Ca and 11.18% P. t Seven Weeks instead of eight weeks in Trial 3. Jin 2% salad oil. In Lot 18, increased to .04% after 4 weeks.
20
4 3
Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 3
17
Basal No. 3
Basal No. 3
16
19
Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 2
15
18
Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 2
14
Basal No. 3
4 3 4 3 4 3 4 3
Ca Co, Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2
Basal No, 2
13
4
2 6 1 7
Ca Co, Ca, (P0 4 ),.
Basal No. 2
12
0.79
3.28
4 4 3 5
Ca Co, Ca, ( P O J 2 Ca Co3 Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2
P in Ration Per Cent
0.85 1:0.26
4.5 3.5
Ca Co, Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2
Basal No. 2
11
Trial No.
3
Ca:P Ratio
3.29
3.30
Per Cent
Source
Ca in Ration Per Cent
Is d
Ration
392
319
296
344
178
8
1"
7
6
7
4
13
8
195 182
5
9
189
187
k 1 9 ' *315 |
11*
7
6
7
6
13
12
9
11
No. Chicks Alive Average Weight Gm.
Six Weeks Eight Weeks No. ' Chicks Alive
Mineral Additions Activated Ergosterol
i
40.9
.01 to .02%
.04%*
.02%J
440
573 I r r a d i a t i o n
389
416
227 .01 to .02% 2% Cod 540 Liver Oil
36.2
45.2
37.7
39.9
46.5
42.4
227 .01 to .02% | 40.5
239
41.2
41.2
224 .01 to .02%
230 .01 to .02%
Average Weight Gm.
(Continued)
Ask in Fat-free Tibiae Per Cent
T A B L E I I — S H O W I N G T H E P L A N S O F T H E E X P E R I M E N T S W I T H SUMMARY OF T H E R E S U L T S
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o
o o b
O
f-i
S3 I-* >-3
a
I*
ft) ft)
Eg
ej
SB
e<
fes Si l»-
316
POULTRY
SCIENCE
DISCUSSION
The use of chemically pure salts as shown by the data pre-
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cept that, in the light of the findings of Mussehl, Blish, and Ackerson2 the percentage of minerals in the ration may have been too high. Trial IV—In the previous trial the best results were obtained in Lot 14 which received a total of 1.07 per cent of phosphorus and 3.27 per cent of calcium in the ration, giving a Ca: P ratio of 1:0.33. This ratio was approximately duplicated in this trial by using three per cent of steamed bone meal and four per cent of chick size limestone grits to supply phosphorus and calcium. These minerals, together with the calcium and phosphorus in the basal ration, supplied a total of 0.79 per cent of phosphorus and 2.44 per cent of calcium, giving a Ca :P ratio of 1:0.324. Four lots of 14 chicks each were used in this trial. All lots received the same ration with the exception of the sources of vitamin D used in some of the lots. Lot 16 received two per cent of cod liver oil; Lot 17, 0.02 per cent irradiated ergosterol; Lot 19, irradiation with ultra violet rays; and Lot 20, no vitamin D. Lot 18 resulted from taking half of the chicks of Lot 17 at four weeks of age and increasing the irradiated ergosterol to 0.04 per cent. At no time during the eight weeks of the experiment did the chicks fed cod liver oil show signs of rickets. In Lot 17 all chicks were noticeably rachitic at 28 days of age and at eight weeks all showed decided, though not very severe, rickets. The double amount of irradiated ergosterol given to Lot 18 from four to eight weeks of age was of no physical benefit. Some chicks in the irradiated lot had somewhat crooked legs but the data for growth, ash pf bones, and blood analysis indicates that it was not typical rickets. The chicks in Lot 20, which received no vitamin D, were rachitic at 28 days and at the end of the experiment all chicks had rickets to about the same degree as those receiving the activated ergosterol. At eight weeks of age the consecutive lots of this trial averaged respectively 540, 416, 389, 573, and 440 grams'. Mortality in these lots was 50, 14, 0, 22, and 43 per cent. The high mortality in the lot receiving cod liver oil is not explained.
NATURAL
MINERALS
UNDER RACHITIC CONDITIONS
317
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sented in the previous paper 1 as well as Trial I I I of the experiments reported in this paper was not successful as sources of calcium and phosphorus for this type of study with growing chicks. In consideration of the lots receiving irradiation it is apparent that this lack of response from chemically pure salts was not due to any deficiencies in the ration except vitamin D. An explanation of this inferiority of growth in the chicks receieving the salt mixtures is not feasible from the present data. In the experiments in which oyster shell and steamed bone meal or limestone grits and steamed bone meal were used as sources of calcium and phosphorus a noticeable improvement in growth was obtained. Iii : Trial I the results seemed to indicate that a Ca :P ratio of about 1:0.3 gave the best results. This value is within the range of optimum calcium to phosphorus as recently reported by Betlike and co-workers3. When the amount of phosphorus in the ration was as low as 0.66 per cent, the rate of growth was reduced. This repression of growth on a low phosphorus content of the ration is also exemplified in Lot 9 of Trial III. The activated ergosterol used in Trials I I I and IV apparently was of little or no value as a source of vitamin D. Later tests on this product showed definitely that this irradiated ergosterol was not effective in preventing or curing rickets in chicks when diluted with salad oil. The results obtained in Trial IV indicate that normal growth could be secured from the basal ration with the addition of limestone grits and steamed bone meal to give a Ca:P ratio of 1:0.32 when the chicks were given either cod liver oil or were irradiated. Lot 20 receiving no vitamin D gave better growth than those receiving irradiated ergosterol. The possibility of preventing rickets by the use of proper mineral balance has been amply demonstrated in the case of the rat. Sherman and Pappenheimer 4 as well as Goldblatt 5 have shown that rickets can be produced or prevented by slight changes in the calcium-phosphorus ratio of the diet. The experi-, ments reported in this paper indicate that rickets in chicks cannot be entirely eliminated through mineral balances as has been the case with the rat. This would indicate that the mineral
318
POULTRY
SCIENCE
metabolism of the two species is quite different. I n the case of the chick t h e calcium requirement is considerably higher t h a n t h a t of the r a t . Although we were not able to prevent rickets by mineral additions it a p p e a r s that with certain calcium and phosp h o r u s ratios the deleterious effect resulting from the absence of vitamin D, is less marked. SUMMARY
i TULLY, W. C, HATJGE, S. M., CARSICK, C. W., AND ROBERTS, ROY E., POULTRY SCIENCE, 1931, X, 332. 2 MUSSEHL F . E . , BLISH, M. J., AND ACKERSON, C. W . , POULTRY SCIENCE,, 1927, VI, 239. s BETHKE, R. M., KENNARD, D. C, KICK, C. H., AND ZINZALIAN, G., POULTRY SCIENCE, 1929, VIII, 257.
* SHERMAN, H. C, AND PAPPENHEIMER, A. M., Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol, and Med., 1921, XVIII, 193. s GOLDBLATT, H., Biochem. Jour., 1924, XVIII, 414.
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1. Oyster shell a n d steamed bone meal or limestone grits and steamed bone meal proved to be superior to mineral salts as sources of calcium a n d phosphorus in the absence of vitamin D. 2. A C a : P ratio of approximately 1:0.3 gave the best results. 3. "When the phosphorus content of the r a t i o n was limited to 0.66 or less per cent t h e r a t e of growth was noticeably reduced. 4. I n these experiments combinations of minerals were not discovered which would prevent rickets in the absence of vitamin D. BIBLIOGRAPHY
STUDIES W I T H NATURAL MINERALS UNDER RACHITIC CONDITIONS
W. C. TULLY, S. M. HAUGE, C. W. CARRICK, ASD ROY E. ROBERTS Agricultural Experiment Station, Purdue University
EXPERIMENTAL
The general plan of these experiments as regards the methods of selection, feeding, and management of the chicks and the records kept were the same as used in the preceeding experiments. 1 In the four trials reported in this paper Barred Plymouth Rock chicks were used. As in the previous experiments, precautions were taken to prevent the exposure of the chicks to direct sunlight, or even direct skylight. The composition of the rations is given in Tables I and II. The results obtained are given in Table I I and Chart 1. Trial I—Four lots of 16 chicks each were used in this trial. The amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the rations were varied by using different levels of oyster shell and steamed bone meal. Lots 1, 2, and 3 received respectively 3, 4, and 5 per cent each of oyster shell and steamed bone meal, while Lot 4 received 5 per cent of oyster shell and 2 per cent of steamed bone meal. These mineral additions varied the calcium-phosphorus ratio from 1:0.342 to 1:0.238. No lot received any vitamin D. Rickets was first nticeable in all lots at the same time, about three and a half weeks. There were no visible differences in the degree of rickets in the first three lots, but Lot 4 had more pro* Published with the approval of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Purdue University.
310
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(Received for Publication 4-4-31) In the preceding paper 1 experiments were reported in which studies were made of the calcium-phosphorus requirements of growing chicks under rachitic conditions. The minerals consisted of salt mixtures in which the calcium-phosphorus ratio was varied as well as the levels of mineral in the ration. Since satisfactory growth was not attained with these salt mixtures, it seemed advisable to use natural minerals in these studies.
NATURAL MINERALS
UNDER RACHITIC
CONDITIONS
311
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CHART 1
Growth curves of the chicks that lived through the experiments. The figures under each lot indicate the number of chicks started and the number which lived through (16-9, under Lot 1, means that 16 chicks were started and 9 lived through). All lots in Trial 3 received 0.01 per cent of activated ergosterol during the first four weeks and 0.02 per cent thereafter. In Trial 4, Lot 16 received two per cent of cod liver oil, Lot 17 received 0.02 per cent of activated ergosterol, Lot 18 received 0.02 per cent of activated ergosterol during the first four weeks and 0.04 per cent thereafter, Lot 19 was irradiated, and Lot 20 received no vitamin D.
POULTRY
312
SCIENCE
nouneed rickets than any of the others. The same was true at eight weeks of age when the chicks in Lot 4 had quite severe rickets, while in the remaining three peris most chicks had only noticeable rickets, a few even being almost free. At eight weeks of age the surviving chicks in Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 averaged respectively 403, 395, 378, and 315 grams, and the mortality was 7, 10, 9, and 8 chicks. T A B L E I—BASAL RATIONS No. '2
|
No. 3
15 5
15
j
15
5 5
5 5
Lard Ground Yellow Corn
2
-
-
Sodium Chloride
1
1
Potassium Chloride Ferrous Lactate
-
1.3
Casein Liver Meal Dried Brewer's Yeast Corn Germs
Magnesium
Sulphate
Salad Oil Activated
Ergosterol
Degerminated Yellow Corn
I
No. 1
|
5
5 5 |
50 1 .2 .44
2
-
.01 first 4 wks. _ .02 after 4 wks. To m a k e 100 To m a k e 100 To m a k e 100
_
Trial II—This experiment was an extension of Trial I, since good results had attended the use of oyster shell and steamed bone meal as sources of calcium and phosphorus. Four lots of 14 chicks each were used. Lots 5, 6, 7, and 8 received respectively 4, 5, 5, and 6 per cent each of oyster shell and steamed bone meal. The only difference in the rations of Lots 6 and 7 was that the lard was omitted in that of Lot 7. These mineral additions varied the calcium-phosphorus ratio from 1:0.303 to 1:0.26. No lot received any vitamin D. At approximately three and a half weeks, rickets was noticeable in all lots, and at no time during the eight weeks of the experiment was rickets more severe in one lot than in any other. At eight weeks of age nearly all chicks had severe rickets, while in a few the disease was only noticeable.
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Ingredients
NATURAL MINERALS
UNDER RACHITIC
CONDITIONS
313
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At eight weeks of age the surviving chicks in Lots 5, 6, 7, and 8, averaged respectively 316, 357, 310, and 318 grams, and the mortality was 3, 2, 2, and 1 chicks. Trial III—Since dicalcium phosphate had proved unsatisfactory as the only source of phosphorus in mineral mixture No. 3, reported in the previous paper 1 , it was decided to use tricalcium phosphate as a source of phosphorus, the calcium to be obtained from the same source, supplemented with calcium carbonate. Analysis of the Ca3 ( P 0 4 ) 2 showed that it contained only 11.18 per cent phosphorus. The calculations of the phosphorus and calcium content of the various mineral mixtures were based upon the analyses. Seven lots of 17 chicks each were used in this trial. The composition of the rations as well as that of the mineral mixtures is shown in Tables I and I I . "While the proportions of calcium and phosphorus were varied, all lots received the same total amount of mineral. The Ca C0 3 and the Ca3 ( P 0 4 ) 2 were used in the following proportions in Lots 9 to 15; 6:2, 5:3, 4.5: 3.5, 4:4, 3:5, 2:6, and 1:7. In this trial it was decided tb use a limited, though inadequate, supply of vitamin D. As a source of vitamin D a commercial product of irradiated ergosterol was used. In order to secure an even distribution of such a concentrated product with the feed, dilution was essential and salad oil was used. Since in other trials not reported levels equivalent to less than one per cent of cod liver oil did not measurably offset the incidence of rickets, 0.01 per cent of the activated ergosterol, supposedly equivalent to one per cent of cod liver oil, was used at the start of the experiment. Since rickets was first noticed in some lots at 27 days of age, the amount of the activated product was increased to 0.02 per cent at this time. ' i The results of this trial are given in Table I I and Chart 1. Rickets was prevalent in all lots. At seven weeks of age, commencing with Lot 9, consecutive lots averaged respectively 186, 217, 230, 224, 239, 227, and 227 grams. These weights are of little significance because of the high mortality in all lots. The mortality for the consecutive lots was 65, 59, 47, 71, 53, 24, and 76 per cent. No explanation is offered for the high mortality ex-
10
5 2 4 4 5 5
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 1
Basal No. 2
Basal No. 2
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Ca Co., Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2 * Ca Co3 Ca., ( P 0 4 ) 2
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1 Basal No. 1 (Lard omitted)
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
5 5
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1
4 4
Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal Oyster Shell Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 1
Source
5 3
6 2
5 5 6 6
CO
2
u
Ration
Cain Ration Per Cent 3.32
4.49
3.77
3.77
3.04
2.77
3.77
3.04
2.31
P in Ration Per Cent 0.62
1.17
1.05
1.05
0.92
0.66
1.05
0.92
0.79
1:0.19
1:0.26
1:0.279
1:0.279
1:0.303
1:0.238
1:0.279
1:0.303
1:0.342
Ca:P Ratio
3.30 J 0.74 1:0.22 (Continued below)
Per Cent CO
1
Trial No.
17
17
14
14
14
14
16
16
16
16
10
9
13
12
12
11
14
11
10
14
179
154
241
237
248
230
283
305
331
293
dSa >S.a
Six;Wj|eks Bight Weeks
7
' 6f
10
11
10
11
8
7
6
9
..
Activated Ergosterol
217 .01 to .02%
186t .01 to .02% t
318
310
357
316
315
378
395
403
No. Chicks Alive Average Weight Gm.
Mineral Additions No. Chicks Started
T A B L E I I — S H O W I N G T H E P L A N S OF T H E E X P E R I M E N T S W I T H SUMMABY OF T H E R E S U L T S
oaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 9, 2015 35.7
39.0
34.5
33.4
35.3
33.0
27.9
38.3
32.1
35.8
Ash in Fat-free Tibiae Per Cent
Basal N o . - 3
1:0.24
14
1:0.324
14
7
7
14
17
17
17
17
17
No. Chicks Started
1:0.324
1:0.324
1:0.324
1:0.36
1:0.33
0.79 1:0.324
0.79
2.44 2.44
0.79
0.79
0.79
1.18
1.07
2.44
2.44
2.44
.3.25
3.27
0.96 1:0.29
* Ca, (PO.)„ contained 37.14% Ca and 11.18% P. t Seven Weeks instead of eight weeks in Trial 3. Jin 2% salad oil. In Lot 18, increased to .04% after 4 weeks.
20
4 3
Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 3
17
Basal No. 3
Basal No. 3
16
19
Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 2
15
18
Limestone Grits Steamed Bone Meal
Basal No. 2
14
Basal No. 3
4 3 4 3 4 3 4 3
Ca Co, Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2
Basal No, 2
13
4
2 6 1 7
Ca Co, Ca, (P0 4 ),.
Basal No. 2
12
0.79
3.28
4 4 3 5
Ca Co, Ca, ( P O J 2 Ca Co3 Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2
P in Ration Per Cent
0.85 1:0.26
4.5 3.5
Ca Co, Ca, ( P 0 4 ) 2
Basal No. 2
11
Trial No.
3
Ca:P Ratio
3.29
3.30
Per Cent
Source
Ca in Ration Per Cent
Is d
Ration
392
319
296
344
178
8
1"
7
6
7
4
13
8
195 182
5
9
189
187
k 1 9 ' *315 |
11*
7
6
7
6
13
12
9
11
No. Chicks Alive Average Weight Gm.
Six Weeks Eight Weeks No. ' Chicks Alive
Mineral Additions Activated Ergosterol
i
40.9
.01 to .02%
.04%*
.02%J
440
573 I r r a d i a t i o n
389
416
227 .01 to .02% 2% Cod 540 Liver Oil
36.2
45.2
37.7
39.9
46.5
42.4
227 .01 to .02% | 40.5
239
41.2
41.2
224 .01 to .02%
230 .01 to .02%
Average Weight Gm.
(Continued)
Ask in Fat-free Tibiae Per Cent
T A B L E I I — S H O W I N G T H E P L A N S O F T H E E X P E R I M E N T S W I T H SUMMARY OF T H E R E S U L T S
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316
POULTRY
SCIENCE
DISCUSSION
The use of chemically pure salts as shown by the data pre-
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cept that, in the light of the findings of Mussehl, Blish, and Ackerson2 the percentage of minerals in the ration may have been too high. Trial IV—In the previous trial the best results were obtained in Lot 14 which received a total of 1.07 per cent of phosphorus and 3.27 per cent of calcium in the ration, giving a Ca: P ratio of 1:0.33. This ratio was approximately duplicated in this trial by using three per cent of steamed bone meal and four per cent of chick size limestone grits to supply phosphorus and calcium. These minerals, together with the calcium and phosphorus in the basal ration, supplied a total of 0.79 per cent of phosphorus and 2.44 per cent of calcium, giving a Ca :P ratio of 1:0.324. Four lots of 14 chicks each were used in this trial. All lots received the same ration with the exception of the sources of vitamin D used in some of the lots. Lot 16 received two per cent of cod liver oil; Lot 17, 0.02 per cent irradiated ergosterol; Lot 19, irradiation with ultra violet rays; and Lot 20, no vitamin D. Lot 18 resulted from taking half of the chicks of Lot 17 at four weeks of age and increasing the irradiated ergosterol to 0.04 per cent. At no time during the eight weeks of the experiment did the chicks fed cod liver oil show signs of rickets. In Lot 17 all chicks were noticeably rachitic at 28 days of age and at eight weeks all showed decided, though not very severe, rickets. The double amount of irradiated ergosterol given to Lot 18 from four to eight weeks of age was of no physical benefit. Some chicks in the irradiated lot had somewhat crooked legs but the data for growth, ash pf bones, and blood analysis indicates that it was not typical rickets. The chicks in Lot 20, which received no vitamin D, were rachitic at 28 days and at the end of the experiment all chicks had rickets to about the same degree as those receiving the activated ergosterol. At eight weeks of age the consecutive lots of this trial averaged respectively 540, 416, 389, 573, and 440 grams'. Mortality in these lots was 50, 14, 0, 22, and 43 per cent. The high mortality in the lot receiving cod liver oil is not explained.
NATURAL
MINERALS
UNDER RACHITIC CONDITIONS
317
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sented in the previous paper 1 as well as Trial I I I of the experiments reported in this paper was not successful as sources of calcium and phosphorus for this type of study with growing chicks. In consideration of the lots receiving irradiation it is apparent that this lack of response from chemically pure salts was not due to any deficiencies in the ration except vitamin D. An explanation of this inferiority of growth in the chicks receieving the salt mixtures is not feasible from the present data. In the experiments in which oyster shell and steamed bone meal or limestone grits and steamed bone meal were used as sources of calcium and phosphorus a noticeable improvement in growth was obtained. Iii : Trial I the results seemed to indicate that a Ca :P ratio of about 1:0.3 gave the best results. This value is within the range of optimum calcium to phosphorus as recently reported by Betlike and co-workers3. When the amount of phosphorus in the ration was as low as 0.66 per cent, the rate of growth was reduced. This repression of growth on a low phosphorus content of the ration is also exemplified in Lot 9 of Trial III. The activated ergosterol used in Trials I I I and IV apparently was of little or no value as a source of vitamin D. Later tests on this product showed definitely that this irradiated ergosterol was not effective in preventing or curing rickets in chicks when diluted with salad oil. The results obtained in Trial IV indicate that normal growth could be secured from the basal ration with the addition of limestone grits and steamed bone meal to give a Ca:P ratio of 1:0.32 when the chicks were given either cod liver oil or were irradiated. Lot 20 receiving no vitamin D gave better growth than those receiving irradiated ergosterol. The possibility of preventing rickets by the use of proper mineral balance has been amply demonstrated in the case of the rat. Sherman and Pappenheimer 4 as well as Goldblatt 5 have shown that rickets can be produced or prevented by slight changes in the calcium-phosphorus ratio of the diet. The experi-, ments reported in this paper indicate that rickets in chicks cannot be entirely eliminated through mineral balances as has been the case with the rat. This would indicate that the mineral
318
POULTRY
SCIENCE
metabolism of the two species is quite different. I n the case of the chick t h e calcium requirement is considerably higher t h a n t h a t of the r a t . Although we were not able to prevent rickets by mineral additions it a p p e a r s that with certain calcium and phosp h o r u s ratios the deleterious effect resulting from the absence of vitamin D, is less marked. SUMMARY
i TULLY, W. C, HATJGE, S. M., CARSICK, C. W., AND ROBERTS, ROY E., POULTRY SCIENCE, 1931, X, 332. 2 MUSSEHL F . E . , BLISH, M. J., AND ACKERSON, C. W . , POULTRY SCIENCE,, 1927, VI, 239. s BETHKE, R. M., KENNARD, D. C, KICK, C. H., AND ZINZALIAN, G., POULTRY SCIENCE, 1929, VIII, 257.
* SHERMAN, H. C, AND PAPPENHEIMER, A. M., Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol, and Med., 1921, XVIII, 193. s GOLDBLATT, H., Biochem. Jour., 1924, XVIII, 414.
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1. Oyster shell a n d steamed bone meal or limestone grits and steamed bone meal proved to be superior to mineral salts as sources of calcium a n d phosphorus in the absence of vitamin D. 2. A C a : P ratio of approximately 1:0.3 gave the best results. 3. "When the phosphorus content of the r a t i o n was limited to 0.66 or less per cent t h e r a t e of growth was noticeably reduced. 4. I n these experiments combinations of minerals were not discovered which would prevent rickets in the absence of vitamin D. BIBLIOGRAPHY