Phosphorus in poultry nutrition

Revolutionizing poultry nutrition- The role of nano dicalcium phosphate in enhancing calcium and phosphorus utilization

Importance of calcium and phosphorus in poultry nutrition

In the world of modern poultry farming, optimizing feed efficiency is the cornerstone of profitability. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are two important minerals required for maintaining optimal health, productivity and profitability in poultry. Those minerals play key role in several important biological processes such as:

Bone formation and strength: Birds need these minerals during early growth stages and throughout life to ensure bone strength and development

Egg production: Especially in layers and breeders, calcium is a critical component of eggshell formation, which directly influences egg quality and hatchability

Energy metabolism and genetic expression: Phosphorus plays a key role in ATP synthesis and cellular functions, directly impacting growth and immunity.

Imbalances or deficiencies in Ca and P can lead to rickets, lameness, poor feed conversion, reduced egg production, and increased mortality. Typically, broiler diets are balanced around a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus, while layers often need slightly more calcium due to the demands of shell formation and ensuring high bioavailability of these minerals is paramount.

Dicalcium phosphate (DCP): A widely used but limited solubility and bioavailability

Dicalcium phosphate (DCP) is a commonly used inorganic mineral source in poultry feed due to its balanced Ca and P content- usually around 23-25% Ca and 17-18% P. It is one of the staple ingredients in poultry diets for:

Broilers, to support skeletal growth and optimum body weight gain

Layers and Breeders, for shell strength, egg quality and reproductive performance

Despite its widespread use, DCP comes with several drawbacks:

• It does not dissolve easily in the gut, especially in older birds
• Differences in bioavailability due to manufacturing methods, particle size and origin (rock base vs. bone base)
• It may interact with other feed components, reducing the actual amount of minerals absorbed.

Scientific studies have shown that only 40% to 60% of phosphorus from DCP is digestible. This gap highlights the need for a more efficient solution.

Nano dicalcium phosphate (nDCP): A Breakthrough innovation by nanotechnologists.

In response to these challenges, a team of scientists has developed Nano-Dicalcium Phosphate (nDCP)—a technologically advanced alternative to conventional DCP. Nano DCP with sub-micron particles (1000 nm), significantly increases the surface area, pore size, and pore volume of calcium and phosphorus resulting in,

• Faster and more complete dissolution in the digestive tract
•  Higher absorption rates of calcium and phosphorus
•  Better nutrient retention with less wastage
•  Lower environmental impact from unused mineral excretion

What makes NanoDCP Different?

1. Higher surface area to volume ratio= Higher Absorption and better bioavailability

NanoDCP has much smaller particles with a larger surface area. This helps it dissolve quickly in the bird’s digestive system, allowing more calcium and phosphorus to be absorbed effectively

2. Better nutrient uptake

The increased porosity allows the minerals to be absorbed more easily through the intestinal wall, especially during egg laying process

3. Environmentally safer

Improved utilization means fewer minerals are excreted, reducing the risk of phosphorus build-up in litter and runoff into the environment

4. Suited for all poultry types

In broilers, nanoDCP helps develop stronger skeletons and improves FCR and body weight.

In layers, it supports better shell strength and egg productivity.

In breeders, it enhances fertility, embryo development, and chick quality

Scientific validation of nDCP

The nutritional impact of nDCP was validated by a leading veterinary university  in broiler birds. The study was conducted in Cobb 430Y broiler breed to assess the effects of  nDCP. nDCP at different  doses (90% to 50% reduction) was compared with normal DCP that was added at recommended level (8 kg DCP per ton of feed).

Table: 1 Inclusion level of Nano DCP and Conventional DCP in broiler diets

Results: The trial results confirm that nDCP added in the feed @ 30-40% out performed other treatments including 100% normal DCP addition in broilers. Birds in this group exhibited higher body weight gain, improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), and significantly lower mortality rates. These findings highlight the efficiency and potential cost savings of Nano DCP in poultry nutrition.

 nDCP: The smart choice for efficient poultry nutrition

The adoption of Nano Dicalcium Phosphate (nDCP) in poultry feed enhances bioavailability, increase in Body weight, better FCR reducing and improving overall efficiency. Cost-benefit analysis confirms significant savings through lower inclusion rates, reduced feed costs, and improved flock performance. By minimizing metabolic stress and environmental impact, nDCP offers a sustainable, economically viable alternative to conventional DCP. These advantages make nDCP a strategic investment for higher profitability in poultry operations.