Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Animal and Nutritional Sciences

Committee Chair

Ronald A. Peterson.

Abstract

Male broilers were fed ad libitum a control diet and diets with 1.5% and 2.7% calcium propionate (CaP). Broiler diets were supplemented with CaP for the first 2,4,6, or 8-week intervals. After being fed CaP for the previous mentioned times the broilers received a control diet for the remainder of each period. All broilers supplemented with CaP had lower body weights (p > .01). Fat pad weight was lower in CaP treated broilers slaughtered at 8 weeks of age (p > .01). Percent carcass fat was lower in CaP treated birds (p > .01). Percent carcass fat was lower in CaP treated birds (p > .01). Percent carcass protein was higher in CaP treated birds (p > .01). Plasma glucose level was increased in CaP broilers at 4,6, and 8 weeks, whereas growth hormone levels were increased in CaP broilers at 6 and 8 weeks. In, summary the inclusion of CaP in the diet of broilers lowered body weights, carcass composition and increases levels of plasma glucose and growth hormone.

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