Effects of dietary calcium formate inclusion on broiler performance, skeletal development, and gut maturation

SUMMARY Modern broilers grow much faster and more efficiently than their predecessors. Because of the rapid growth rates of broilers, particular attention must be given to the skeletal development of the bird. Calcium formate (CaFo) has been used as a calcium source in animal diets in the European Union for many years. The objective of this study was to evaluate CaFo in broiler diets as an alternative source of calcium. Four experimental groups (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% CaFo) were evaluated, with 10 replicate pens per treatment. Variables measured included BW, FCR, tibia weight, bone ash percentage, tibia breaking strength, and gut morphology. Many of the parameters measured were statistically similar to the calcium carbonate control treatment. However, the 1.0% CaFo treatment significantly increased tibia breaking strength and duodenal villus height when compared with the other treatments at the completion of grow out. Therefore, CaFo can serve as an alternative calcium source in broiler diets and may significantly improve skeletal development.