Dietary cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ supplementation improved eggshell and bone quality of laying ducks during 60 to 76 weeks of age.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃, VD₃) or 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃) supplementation in the diet of aged laying ducks on eggshell and bone quality. A total of 792 healthy Longyan laying ducks (60 weeks old) were randomly divided into 11 groups, each with 6 replicates of 12 birds. The 11 groups were fed for 16 weeks with diets containing either 0 (control), or varying levels of VD₃ or 25(OH)D₃: 800, 1600, 2400, 3200, and 4000 IU/kg, respectively. Compared to the control, supplementation with either VD₃ or 25(OH)D₃ increased (P < 0.05) the eggshell thickness, weight, and ratio throughout the trial period. Improvements were also observed in the eggshell ul

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12396280 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature