Supplement to: Vitamin D3 Is Not a Limiting Nutrient Regarding Growth Performance and Tibia Parameters in the Rearing Period of Laying Hens Bred for High Laying Performance Compared to Non-Selected Resource Populations

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"Vitamin D₃ Is Not a Limiting Nutrient Regarding Growth Performance and Tibia Parameters in the Rearing Period of Laying Hens Bred for High Laying Performance Compared to Non-Selected Resource Populations"

Content: Bone damages in laying hens are of great concern in poultry farming. Besides various risk factors like housing systems or nutrient supply during egg production, it has often been hypothesized that genetically high-performing laying hens may be more prone to bone damages. The relevance of dietary support during the rearing period of pullets for optimal bone development has been little addressed so far. In the present study, an increasing dietary vitamin D₃ content within EU legislation was tested during the first 12 weeks of life in two high and two moderate-performing pullet lines (white and brown layer lines). Three experimental diets differed only regarding the added vitamin D₃ amount (300/1000/3000 IU Cholecalciferol/kg diet). After every 4 weeks, randomly chosen animals per genotype and dietary treatment were slaughtered for dissection. Serum 25(OH)-Vitamin D₃ concentrations, performance parameters and tibiotarsal parameters were measured.