Liquid launched to boost vit D3 and calcium in layers and broilers 19 Aug 2008

The animal health and nutrition specialist has stated that Dcal-Xtra Plus is a unique blend designed to be added to the drinking water of breeders, broilers and layers. This liquid is specifically intended for use during periods of malabsorption and at times when feed supplies of vitamin D3 may be inadequate to meet demand.

"Vitamin D3 and calcium are vital nutrients in poultry systems, being intimately involved in the development of bone and shell quality," said Labtec managing director David Tavernor. "Shortages of either D3 or calcium can result in reduced leg strength in turkeys, broilers and pheasants and shell weakness in laying birds, all of which knock profits. Dcal-Xtra Plus is the first product to combine calcium with the highly available 25(OH) vitamin D3 to maximise the benefit to bone and shell quality."

According to Tavernor, standard vitamin D3 has to be synthesised by the liver before it is available to the bird. 25-OH-vitamin D3 is a metabolite of D3 that avoids the need for synthesis, thereby making it more readily available to the bird. "The increased speed of availability combined with the extra calcium gives birds a double boost."