DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM

The modern broiler grows much faster and is significantly heavier than its pre-1950s coun-terpart [1]. The short rearing period and rapid growth rates present challenges with regard to proper bone development for nutritionists, vet-erinarians, and production personnel. Seemingly minor deficiencies within a nutrient profile can have an immediate effect on the immune re-sponse and skeletal development of birds. Once errors are detected, there is no way to correct for these costly mistakes because a critical stage of development has already passed. According to Fleming [2], “Leg and gait disorders have been a considerable problem for the broiler industry, and although recent genetic, management and nutritional approaches have improved the situ-ation, there remains scope for further improve-ment ” (p. 179). Calcium formate (CaFo), a salt of formic acid, is a by-product of varnish and dye man-© 2012 Poultry Science Association, Inc. Effects of dietary calcium formate inclusion on broiler performance, skeletal development, and gut maturatio