Researchers studied how the type of food baby chickens eat in their first two weeks affects their ability to build strong bones later on. They found that chickens fed a diet with the right amount of a nutrient called non-phytate phosphorus early on developed stronger bones. When they added an enzyme called phytase to the later diet, it helped chickens digest phosphorus better and build stronger bones—especially if they hadn’t gotten enough of this nutrient early on. This research suggests that what young chickens eat sets them up for better bone development throughout their lives.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the amount of a mineral nutrient (non-phytate phosphorus) in baby chicken feed affects how well chickens can use bone-building nutrients and enzymes later in life
  • Who participated: 288 baby chickens divided into groups, with some getting different starter diets for 11 days, then all getting different grower diets with varying amounts of an enzyme called phytase for another 11 days
  • Key finding: Chickens that got adequate phosphorus early on had stronger bones. Adding phytase enzyme to later feed improved bone strength and phosphorus digestion in all chickens, but worked especially well for those who didn’t get enough phosphorus early on
  • What it means for you: This research is primarily about chicken farming and nutrition. While it doesn’t directly apply to humans, it shows that early nutrition can affect how our bodies use nutrients later—a principle that may apply to people too. If you’re interested in nutrition science or farming, this suggests that early diet choices matter for long-term health.

The Research Details

Scientists conducted a controlled experiment with baby chickens to test two main questions: (1) Does the amount of phosphorus in early feed matter? and (2) Does adding an enzyme called phytase to later feed help chickens digest nutrients better? They divided chickens into groups that received different starter diets for the first 11 days after hatching—some with lower phosphorus (3 grams per kilogram) and some with higher phosphorus (4.5 grams per kilogram). Then they moved all the chickens to new diets for days 11-22, with some getting no enzyme added, some getting a medium dose of phytase, and some getting a high dose. This split-plot design allowed researchers to see how the early diet affected the response to the later enzyme treatment.

This research approach is important because it mimics real farming conditions where chickens eat different feed at different life stages. By testing how early nutrition affects later nutrient use, scientists can understand whether early diet choices have lasting effects. This helps farmers make better feeding decisions that improve chicken health and reduce waste. The design also allows researchers to see if certain combinations of early and later diets work better together.

This study used a controlled experimental design with multiple replicates (repeated groups), which strengthens the reliability of findings. The researchers measured specific outcomes like bone strength and nutrient digestion using standardized methods. However, the study was conducted only in chickens, so results may not directly apply to other animals or humans. The sample size was reasonably large (288 birds), which increases confidence in the results. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed the work before publication.

What the Results Show

Chickens that received adequate phosphorus during the starter period (first 11 days) developed significantly stronger bones with greater weight and breaking strength compared to those fed lower phosphorus. When phytase enzyme was added to the grower diet (days 11-22), it improved how well chickens could digest phosphorus and helped them grow more efficiently, regardless of what they ate early on. The enzyme also increased bone weight and strength in all chickens. Interestingly, chickens that didn’t get enough phosphorus early on showed the biggest improvement when phytase was added later, suggesting the enzyme could help compensate for early nutritional shortfalls.

The study found that chickens fed adequate phosphorus early on had lower calcium and dry matter digestibility later, meaning their bodies absorbed less of these nutrients from their feed. This suggests that early adequate nutrition may change how the digestive system works. The amount of ash (mineral content) in bones showed an interaction between early and later diets, with phytase being more effective at building bone minerals in chickens that had lower phosphorus early on.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that early nutrition affects later growth and nutrient use. Previous research suggested that phosphorus availability early in life matters for bone development, and this study confirms that finding while adding new information about how enzymes like phytase can help compensate for early nutritional gaps. The finding that phytase works better in chickens with lower early phosphorus aligns with the idea that the body adapts to nutrient availability.

This study was conducted only in chickens, so results may not apply to other animals or humans. The observation period was relatively short (22 days total), so we don’t know if these effects persist as chickens mature. The study measured bone strength in young chickens, which may differ from adult chickens. Additionally, the research was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions, which may not reflect real farm environments where chickens face stress, disease, and variable conditions. The study doesn’t explain the biological mechanisms behind why early phosphorus affects later enzyme response.

The Bottom Line

For chicken farmers: Ensure starter diets contain adequate phosphorus (around 4.5 g/kg) for optimal early bone development. Consider adding phytase enzyme to grower diets, especially if starter diets had lower phosphorus levels, as it significantly improves nutrient digestion and bone strength. Confidence level: Moderate to High (based on controlled experimental evidence). For general readers: While this research is about chickens, it illustrates a principle that may apply broadly—that early nutrition sets the foundation for how our bodies use nutrients later in life.

Poultry farmers and nutritionists should care most about these findings, as they can directly apply them to improve chicken health and production. Feed manufacturers may use this information to develop better enzyme supplements. Nutrition scientists and researchers interested in how early diet affects later nutrient use will find this relevant. General consumers interested in how food production works or in nutrition science principles may find this interesting but shouldn’t try to apply it to their own diet without consulting a healthcare provider.

In chickens, the effects were visible within 22 days (11 days on starter diet plus 11 days on grower diet). Bone strength improvements from phytase supplementation appeared within the 11-day grower period. For practical farming applications, farmers should expect to see improvements in feed efficiency and growth within 1-2 weeks of adding phytase to feed.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For farmers using a nutrition tracking app: Log the phosphorus content of starter feed (in g/kg) and the phytase enzyme dose in grower feed (in FYT/kg), then track weekly weight gain and feed conversion ratio to monitor if the combination is working as expected.
  • Farmers could use an app to set reminders to transition chickens from starter to grower feed at the optimal time (around day 11), ensuring they capture the benefits of phytase supplementation during the critical growth window. They could also use the app to compare bone quality or growth metrics across different feed combinations.
  • Implement a long-term tracking system that records phosphorus levels in each feed batch, phytase enzyme doses, and resulting chicken growth metrics (weight gain, feed efficiency, bone strength if measured). Compare these metrics across batches to identify the optimal combination for your operation. Track seasonal variations to see if results differ based on environmental factors.

This research is specific to poultry nutrition and was conducted in chickens under controlled laboratory conditions. These findings should not be applied to human nutrition or other animal species without consulting appropriate experts. If you are a farmer or feed manufacturer considering implementing these findings, consult with a poultry nutritionist or veterinarian to ensure recommendations are appropriate for your specific operation, climate, and chicken breed. This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional agricultural or nutritional advice.