Productivity and Bone Quality of Broilers Supplemented With Vitamin D (25-Ohd3)

Abstract

Problems with broilers bone quality are becoming more frequent and alternatives have been sought to reduce them without altering poultry performance. The experiment was conducted to assess the productivity and bone quality of broilers supplemented with 25-OHD 3. A total of 2400 broilers were distributed in randomized block design with 2x2x2 factorial arrangement (gender, Cobb and Ross strains, supplemented or not with 25-OHD 3), totaling eight treatments with six repetitions of 50 birds each. Birds' performance, gait score and bone quality (Seedor index, bone resistance, bone ash, minerals levels (Ca, P and Mg) and black bone syndrome) were evaluated. There was interaction between gender and strains for feed intake and weight gain; the feed conversion ratio was better for males; there was an interaction between strain and supplementation for viability. There was a difference in gait score for gender and strain. Males femur had a higher Seedor index, bone resistance and lower ashes level. Ross strain showed higher Seedor index. Regarding tibia ash levels in and femur Mg content, there was strain and supplementation interaction. Black bone syndrome was not influenced by the studied variables. Some of the assessed characteristics had positive responses and others characteristics discreetly responded to the treatments.