dsm-firmenich reveals hidden imbalances in broiler calcium–phosphorus nutrition
A global analysis highlights that most broiler flocks are not meeting blood phosphorus and calcium concentration guidelines
26 March 2026
2 minute read
By: New global analysis from dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health suggests that mineral nutrition programs in commercial broiler production may not always reflect birds’ true physiological needs.
The company has released a new insights report, Physiology-Led Assessment of Calcium and Phosphorus Status in Commercial Broilers, based on thousands of Verax™ blood biomarker samples collected from broiler flocks across 16 countries between 2019 and 2026.
The findings indicate that many broiler flocks show blood phosphorus and calcium concentrations that fall outside healthy reference ranges, even when feed formulations appear aligned with standard nutritional guidelines.
Why it matters
Phosphorus oversupply can increase feed costs and contribute to environmental nutrient loading where undersupply can compromise growth rate and welfare
Calcium oversupply can damage the kidney and create wet litter, whereas undersupply leads to skeletal abnormalities and high mortality
A physiology-led monitoring approach may enable more precise mineral nutrition, supporting bone health, flock uniformity, and nutrient efficiency.
What the report explores
The report provides a global snapshot of broiler calcium and phosphorus physiology and examines factors that may influence mineral status in commercial flocks, including:
The difference between ionized and total calcium measurements
The role of vitamin D metabolism
Phytase efficacy in practical diets
The impact of limestone solubility and particle size
Interactions between acid–base balance and mineral metabolism
Together, the analysis highlights opportunities for producers and nutritionists to optimize calcium and phosphorus supply without compromising performance.
Industry Relevance
According to the report, integrating physiological biomarker data with feed formulation practices could help poultry producers and integrators better align nutrient supply with biological demand - potentially reducing feed costs while improving sustainability outcomes.
About the Survey
A global analysis of blood biomarker data from commercial broiler flocks across 16 countries between 2019 and 2026 shows that while average calcium and phosphorus levels generally fall within expected physiological ranges, significant hidden imbalances exist within flocks.
Key findings include:
Global dataset: Analysis of thousands of Verax™ blood biomarker samples from commercial broiler flocks across 16 countries (2019–2026) provides a real-world snapshot of calcium and phosphorus status.
Hidden variation within flocks: While average calcium levels often fall within the expected physiological range, subpopulations of birds show lower calcium status, revealing within- and across-flock variation that feed formulation alone does not detect.
Phosphorus often above biological demand: Blood phosphorus levels frequently sit at or above optimal physiological ranges, suggesting potential oversupply in practical feeding programs.
Total calcium does not tell the full story: Because only ionized calcium is biologically active, total calcium values can appear normal even when birds experience functional calcium imbalance.
Mineral metabolism is multifactorial: Calcium and phosphorus utilization is influenced by vitamin D status, phytase effectiveness, drinking water chemistry, limestone solubility, and acid–base balance, meaning nutrition outcomes depend on more than dietary inclusion levels.
Opportunity for more precise nutrition: Using physiology-led biomarker monitoring can help nutritionists refine calcium and phosphorus supply to support bone health, flock uniformity, nutrient efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
In summary, the report shows that flock mineral status can be difficult to predict using conventional measures. Verax™ biomarkers enable a physiology-led, data-driven approach for precise nutrition, boosting bone health, flock uniformity, and nutrient efficiency while cutting excess phosphorus and reducing environmental impact.
Dr Aaron Cowieson, Head of Digital Consultancy & Solutions at dsm-firmenich stated, “These results show that broiler mineral levels can vary widely even when feeds appear balanced, highlighting the limits of traditional measurement approaches. By using Verax™ biomarkers, we can take a physiology-led, data-driven approach to nutrition, supporting stronger bones, more uniform flocks and better nutrient efficiency, all while reducing unnecessary phosphorus and lowering environmental impact.”
The full report, Physiology-Led Assessment of Calcium and Phosphorus Status in Commercial Broilers, is available from dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health.
