Page 14 - Think Grain Think Feed - May25

www.benisonmedia.com ARTICLE significantly affects calcium growth and metabolic · specific data for Indian

Think Grain Think Feed - Volume 11 | Issue 7 | May 2025

processes. Adjusting their
feed ingredients.
availability and,
levels according to life
consequently, broiler health
Lameness in broilers and
and performance.
factors ensures optimal
Solubility and Particle Size
investigated, as
bird performance.
supplementing more
Limestone solubility is largely stage and environmental layers should be carefully
influenced by particle size Maintaining the correct calcium is ineffective in
Ca:P ratio is essential to
and the ore source. Fine about 99% of lameness
particles dissolve quickly in avoid nutrient imbalances cases.
the gut, releasing calcium and maximize · By focusing on these
rapidly, which is essential for performance. critical minerals, poultry
early growth stages. In · Indian poultry diets are nutritionists can unlock
contrast, coarse particles typically rich in calcium. the full potential of
dissolve more slowly, Although adding extra broiler diets, enhancing
providing a sustained calcium might seem growth, feed efficiency,
calcium supply over time. beneficial, it can lead to and profitability.
several negative
· Fine Limestone: Highly Conclusion
soluble, suitable for consequences. Optimizing calcium and
meeting the early calcium · Supplementation with phosphorus nutrition is
requirements of broilers. vitamin D and its essential for enhancing
· Coarse Limestone: Less metabolites, 25-(OH)-D broiler performance, skeletal
3
and 1,25-(OH) D ,
soluble, preferred for 2- 3 integrity, and feed utilization.
maintaining calcium supports avian systems, As Indian poultry producers
levels throughout the particularly in calcium and nutritionists shift
growth cycle. and phosphorus towards more efficient
metabolism, bone health,
In India, fine limestone is feeding strategies, it is vital
and eggshell quality in
predominantly used, but to adopt precise mineral
broilers and layers.
incorporating more coarse balancing by using digestible
limestone could better · The use of effective calcium and phosphorus
support sustained calcium phytase enzymes helps values and incorporating
overcome the challenges
supply and improve overall phytase enzymes to improve
bird performance. posed by phytate-bound phosphorus absorption.
phosphorus in plant- Over-supplementation of
Role of Acid Binding
based diets. Accurate calcium can incur hidden
Capacity
application of the phytase costs, such as impaired
Fine-grinded limestone has a
matrix requires analyzing nutrient digestibility and
high acid-binding capacity,
the phytate content of compromised gut health.
meaning it can neutralize
feed ingredients in actual Additionally, understanding
stomach acidity. This
use. the solubility and particle
property may sometimes
· The solubility and particle size of calcium sources like
interfere with the gut's
size of limestone greatly limestone can greatly
natural digestion process,
influence its nutritional enhance mineral utilization.
particularly affecting the
efficiency and the overall With ongoing research and
digestion of other nutrients
health and performance innovation, the Indian
such as protein and
of broilers. poultry industry can refine its
phosphorus.
· Global data on digestible approach to mineral
Key Takeaways
calcium and phosphorus nutrition, resulting in
· Calcium and phosphorus
are not standardized, improved productivity,
are foundational to
highlighting the need for economic efficiency, and
broiler health, playing
generating region- environmental sustainability.
critical roles in skeletal
References are available upon request.
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