Dietary 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol and additional vitamin E improve bone development and antioxidant capacity in...

Area of Science:

• Poultry Nutrition
• Animal Science
• Broiler Production

Background:

• High stocking densities in broiler farms can negatively impact animal welfare and performance.
• Dietary supplementation with vitamins, particularly vitamin D3 and E, plays a crucial role in broiler health and development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3] and additional vitamin E on broiler growth, antioxidant capacity, bone development, and carcass characteristics.
• To evaluate these effects under varying stocking densities (high and low) in a commercial setting.

Main Methods:

• A 2x2 factorial design was used with 118,800 Arbor Acres broilers.
• Treatments included two dietary vitamin levels (normal vs. 25-(OH)D3 + vitamin E) and two stocking densities (high: 20 chickens/m2 vs. low: 16 chickens/m2).
• Parameters measured included growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, bone parameters, and carcass characteristics over 42 days.

Main Results:

• High-density stocking negatively impacted early growth but increased meat yield per area.
• Vitamin diets improved feed conversion ratios (FCR) in the later growth stages and enhanced antioxidant status (catalase, glutathione peroxidase).
• The combined vitamin treatment significantly improved bone development (metatarsal length, femoral strength) and serum vitamin E levels, especially under high-density conditions.

Conclusions:

• 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3] and additional vitamin E effectively suppress oxidative stress and ameliorate negative impacts of high-density stocking on broiler bone development.
• Vitamin-supplemented diets improve broiler FCR, while high-density stocking can lead to better economic outcomes per unit area.
• Optimizing dietary vitamin strategies alongside stocking density management is crucial for efficient broiler production.