Dietary Calcium and Protein Levels Influence Growth Performance, Intestinal Development, and Nutrient Utilization in Goslings

TL;DR

This study shows that moderate levels of calcium and protein in gosling diets improve growth, digestion, and nutrient absorption, while excessive calcium can be harmful.

Contribution

The study identifies optimal dietary calcium and protein levels for goslings, offering practical guidelines for poultry nutrition.

Findings

Moderate calcium (0.96%) and protein (14.5–18.5%) levels enhance growth performance and intestinal health in goslings.

Excessive calcium (2.88%) impairs growth and feed conversion efficiency in goslings.

Optimal nutrient levels improve digestive enzyme activities and nutrient utilization rates.

Abstract

Proper nutrition is essential for the healthy growth and development of goslings, particularly during the early brooding period. Calcium (Ca) and crude protein (CP) are two fundamental dietary components that influence skeletal development, metabolism, and overall growth performance. However, the precise dietary requirements for goslings remain insufficiently studied. This study aimed to investigate how different levels of dietary Ca and CP affect growth, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activities in Jiangnan White goslings. A 3 × 3 factorial design was implemented, testing three levels of Ca (0.32%, 0.96%, and 2.88%) and three levels of CP (14.5%, 18.5%, and 22.5%). Results indicate that moderate levels of both Ca (0.96%) and CP (14.5–18.5%) optimize growth, nutrient absorption, and intestinal health, enhancing body weight, average daily gain, and feed intake. Excessive Ca (2.88%) negatively impacted growth and feed conversion efficiency. Intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities were improved with moderate nutrient levels. The findings highlight the importance of balanced dietary formulations for optimizing growth performance and metabolic efficiency in goslings, offering valuable insights for poultry production.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) and crude protein (CP) levels on growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activities in goslings during the brooding period. A total of 972 one-day-old Jiangnan White goslings were assigned to a 3 × 3 factorial design with three levels of Ca (0.32%, 0.96%, and 2.88%) and three levels of CP (14.5%, 18.5%, and 22.5%). Results showed that moderate Ca (0.96%) and CP (14.5–18.5%) levels optimized growth performance, with higher body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI), while excessive Ca (2.88%) impaired growth and the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Intestinal morphology was enhanced by 0.96% Ca and moderate CP levels, as reflected by greater villus height and crypt depth. Digestive enzyme activities in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were significantly influenced by dietary treatments, with moderate nutrient levels supporting optimal enzymatic efficiency. Nutrient utilization analyses revealed that Ca and CP levels interacted to optimize calcium, phosphorus, and protein metabolism, with the highest utilization rates observed at 0.96% Ca and 14.5% CP. These findings emphasize the importance of balanced dietary formulations to enhance growth performance, nutrient absorption, and metabolic efficiency in goslings, providing practical insights for improving poultry production.