Use of Vitamin D₃ and Its Metabolites in Broiler Chicken Feed on Performance, Bone Parameters and Meat Quality

The objective of this experiment was to assess the use of different vitamin D metabolites in the feed of broiler chickens and the effects of the metabolites on performance, bone parameters and meat quality. A total of 952 one-day-old male broiler chicks were distributed in a completely randomised design, with four treatments, seven replicates and 34 birds per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of four different sources of vitamin D included in the diet, $D_3$, $25(OH)D_3$, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$, and $1{\alpha}(OH)D_3$, providing 2000 and 1600 IU of vitamin D in the starter (1 to 21 d) and growth phases (22 to 42 d), respectively. Mean weight, feed:gain and weight gain throughout the rearing period were less in animals fed $1{\alpha}(OH)D_3$ when compared with the other treatments (p<0.05). No significant differences were noted among the treatments (p>0.05) for various bone parameters. Meat colour differed among the treatments (p>0.05). All of the metabolites used in the diets, with the exception of $1{\alpha}(OH)D_3$, can be used for broiler chickens without problems for performance and bone quality, however, some aspects of meat quality were affected.