Constraints on the modelling of calcium and phosphorus growth of broilers: a systematic review

SUMMARYDeterministic modelling provides an approach to improve the precision of calcium and phosphorus nutrition of broilers. A systematic review of the literature was carried out to establish if data were available for the development of such a model. Two citation index sites were searched, using keywords chosen to return as many suitable studies as possible. The results were filtered to remove extraneous papers. The remaining studies were scrutinised for variables that would quantify the growth of calcium and phosphorus under ideal and non-ideal conditions. In over a thousand papers, few contained response variables that contributed to the development of a model. Serial slaughter with whole-body mineral analysis (two studies) and serial bone analysis for ash, calcium and phosphorus (eight studies) could provide the necessary measurements. A preliminary growth model was developed using these data, but further research will improve this model and offer insights into the way in which the broiler utilises calcium and phosphorus in its diet.