The role of boron in poultry nutrition Part II: Compositional and mechanical properties of bone and egg quality

Nutrients such as minerals and vitamin D have clear roles in skeletal metabolism. Boron (B) has been examined as a possible essential nutrient in the metabolism and utilisation of several micro nutrients and hence could have an influence on bone mineral density and eggshell quality. However, there have been few direct studies to examine the dietary response to B in chicken and layer hen models, although there is evidence that both compositional and functional properties of bone are affected by dietary boron status in other model animals and humans. Bone integrity, skeletal problems in chickens and eggshell quality in laying hens are important economic, welfare and health issues for the poultry industry. Therefore, better understanding of certain role of B on mineral availability in chickens and layer hens is important to enhance productivity and improve animal welfare. The following review examines the published data relating to these aspects of B in poultry feed.