This study was carried out in order to evaluate the bone chemical composition and breaking force resistance of tibiotarsus birds at 21 days of age. The bone percentage of colagenous proteins (CP), non colagenous proteins (NCP) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium) was analyzed. A total of 650 commercial male broiler chicks were fed corn and soybean diets. A completely randomized block design with five replications of 26 birds per experimental unit was used. The treatments consisted of the basal ration supplemented with NH4Cl in order to obtain five levels (-50; 0; 50; 100 and 150mEq/kg) of electrolyte balance. The EB level affected the percentages of phosphorus, potassium and sodium, PC and PNC, Ca: P relation and breaking force resistance. The reduction of EB diets at levels below 150mEq/kg will affect negatively the mineralization and bone resistance. The breaking force of tibiotarsus is not correlated with the mineral concentration individually, but correlates negatively with the concentration of collagenous and non-collagenous proteins.
broilers; metabolic acidosis; electrolyte balance; tibiotarsus
