Calcium pidolate supplementation enhances broiler growth, bone strength, and mineral utilization under reduced dietary calcium and phosphorus levels

This study aimed to evaluate whether calcium pidolate supplementation can mitigate the negative impacts of calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (aP) restriction in broiler diets. Eight hundred one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments (8 replicates/treatment): control diet (CONT); 15% reduced Ca and aP diet (N15); N15 supplemented with 300 mg/kg calcium pidolate (CP15); 30% reduced Ca and aP diet (N30); and N30 with 300 mg/kg calcium pidolate (CP30). Broilers were reared for 35 days, with growth performance recorded weekly. Mineral metabolism indicators were analyzed [parathyroid hormone (PTH), Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], as well as tibia quality, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, and litter characteristics. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS. The CP15 results achieved the highest final BW among treatments (P < 0.05) and lower FCR than N15, but similar to CONT. Birds fed the CP15 diet maintained serum Ca and phosphorus levels and bone ash percentage similar to CONT, while also exhibiting lower PTH levels than N15 (P < 0.05); however, it had similar FGF23 and ALP levels as CONT and N15. In contrast, the N30 markedly impaired (P < 0.05) BW, FCR and bone ash compared to CP15. For CP30, growth performance was similar to that of CONT and better than that of N15 and N30. Ash and phosphorus digestibility were similar to N30, and were higher than N15 and CONT groups. Although bone ash and phosphorus mineralization were similar to CONT and CP15 groups and higher than N30, bone Ca mineralization was the lowest for CP30 and N30 groups. Physical tibia parameters and litter characteristics were not affected by treatments. Carcass traits were similar among treatments, except that breast meat yield was maintained in CP15 but was significantly reduced in N30 and CP30 groups. In conclusion, calcium pidolate supplementation optimizes mineral utilization and preserves broiler production efficiency during mineral-restricted feeding programs.