Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing
1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [
1,25-(OH)2D3] and a commercial
phytase product on Ca and P requirements of 0- to 21-d-old broiler males. These experiments were conducted with four levels of dietary Ca and P in corn-soybean diets with and without supplementation of 5 micrograms/kg of 1,25-(OH)2D3, 600 units/kg of
phytase, and the combination of these supplements. The results show that these levels of
phytase and 1,25-(OH)2D3 can replace up to 0.1% of the inorganic P for criteria such as BW,
bone ash, and plasma P. Both supplements increased
phytate P retention, whereas higher levels of Ca and P decreased
phytate P retention. The addition of 1,25-(OH)2D3, but not
phytase, reduced Ca requirements and decreased the incidence of tibial
dyschondroplasia. The combination of these levels of
phytase and 1,25-(OH)2D3 replaced 0.2% inorganic P for criteria such as BW,
bone ash, and P
rickets. Total dietary P requirements are estimated to be between 0.55 and 0.60% at the levels of
phytase and 1,25-(OH)2D3, listed above, or 0.45% when the combination is added. The Ca requirements are estimated to be 0.77% when 1,25-(OH)2D3 is added to the diet and 0.9 to 0.95% when
phytase is added.