Vitamins are essential for optimal animal health. Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin” has been recognized and researched since the 1910s and its role in human and animal health is well established. To understand the full impact of vitamin D, research has more recently focused on its metabolites 25-OH-D3 (25-hydroxycholecalciferol, the circulating form) and 1,25-diOHD3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, the hormonal form). Since most poultry are raised indoors and do not have access to sunlight, vitamin D must be supplied in the diet. As the inclusion of vitamin D3 has become a standard in diet formulation, 25-OH-D3 has also gained popularity as a common ingredient in poultry diets. The benefits are being further realized as an important ingredient for animal production and health.
