Poultry
Broiler Programme: Supporting Skeletal Development
Practical guidance on vitamin D3 sources and metabolite use in fast-growing broiler diets.
Background
Rapid growth places continuous demand on the skeletal system of broilers. Adequate vitamin D activity, together with balanced calcium and phosphorus, supports normal bone mineralisation and leg soundness.
Practical Recommendation
- Confirm the vitamin D3 activity of the premix by assay rather than by label claim alone.
- Consider metabolite inclusion in diets with high phytase loading or reduced inorganic phosphorus.
- Monitor footpad and hock condition as routine flock indicators.
- Keep pelleting temperature within the stability range stated in the technical data sheet.
Observed Benefits
- Better leg soundness scores reported in broiler nutrition trials
- Supports bone ash and mineralisation parameters
- Compatible with reduced inorganic phosphorus formulation strategies
Trial observations are context dependent. Validate inclusion levels with your own flock data before scaling up.
