Morphometric characteristics of lower limb bones and elemental composition of bone tissue of broilers after using different forms of calcium in the diet

ABSTRACT The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of different forms of calcium in the diet of broiler chickens on morphometric parameters of the femur and tibia and on the elemental composition of bone tissue. In the experimental groups 20% of the calcium from the norm was replaced by the additives studied: the first group - calcium chloride, the second group - calcium citrate, the third group - dolomite flour. Then, the production and osteometric indicators, as well as the elemental composition of biosubstrates were assessed. Based on the data obtained, we concluded that highly accessible and soluble calcium sources, such as calcium chloride and citrate, can significantly improve bone health. Replacing the traditional calcium source, limestone flour, with calcium chloride improves the elemental composition of bones - increasing phosphorus and calcium levels. This, in turn, has a positive effect on bone morphometric and density parameters. The proposed strategy can promote optimal skeletal development of fast-growing broiler chickens, allowing them to adapt successfully to increasing body weight. Given the economic and social significance of this issue, such diet modification can become one of the key metabolic factors in solving the problems of non-infectious skeletal disorders.