The effect of vitamin D and strontium in the diet of poultry and pigs

The objective of this research project was to investigate the effect of feeding higher dietary levels of vitamin D with supplemental strontium, on growth performance, feed intake, bone composition, egg composition and nutrient retention in laying hens, broiler chickens and growing pigs. At the outset, the mineral concentration (including strontium) of more than 130 animal feed ingredients were analysed, followed by three broiler chicken trials, two layer hen trials and one weaner pig trial. The results with broiler chickens produced inconsistent results in performance with higher levels of dietary vitamin D3 and strontium producing the poorest growth rates and feed efficiencies. In respect to laying hens, strontium produced a significant increase in egg production and higher levels of vitamin D increased the vitamin D content of egg yolk. Strontium at 500 ppm in pig weaner diets improved growth and feed efficiency and reduced the average surface temperature of the leg joint. In conclusion, supplemental vitamin D and strontium improved laying hen and weaner pig production; however, there were inconsistent results in broiler chicken performance. Due to the innovative nature of this research these results need to be validated by further research