Calcium Nutrition of Broilers: Current Perspectives and Challenges

Calcium (Ca) plays an essential role in poultry nutrition as 99% of Ca is located in birds' skeletal system. However, oversupply of Ca rather than deficiency of Ca is the current concern in commercial broiler diets. Calcium is an inexpensive dietary nutrient due to the cheap and abundant availability of limestone, the major Ca source; therefore, little attention was given to the oversupply of Ca in the past. The recent shift in the use of digestible P in broiler feed formulations has necessitated a closer look at digestible Ca, as Ca and P are interrelated in their absorption and postabsorptive utilisation. In this context, data on ileal digestibility of Ca and P in ingredients has been determined. Preliminary data on the digestible Ca and digestible P requirements for the different growth stages of broilers have also recently become available. The present review focusses on these recent advances in Ca nutrition. In addition, aspects of homeostatic control mechanisms, different Ca sources and factors influencing Ca digestibility in poultry are covered.

Automated summary

Calcium is crucial for poultry nutrition, but the current concern is the oversupply of calcium rather than a deficiency. Recent changes in feed formulas have prompted closer examination of digestible calcium, as it is interrelated with phosphorus absorption and utilization. Data on the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in feed ingredients have been determined, and preliminary data on the requirements for different growth stages of broilers have become available. This review focuses on these recent advances in calcium nutrition, as well as homeostatic control mechanisms, different calcium sources, and factors influencing calcium digestibility in poultry.