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Pigeons Get a Boost from Nano‑Vitamin D
Thursday, April 30, 2026
White King Pigeons Benefit from Moderate Vitamin D3 Supplementation
Study Design
- Subjects: 216 three‑year‑old White King pigeons, divided into 4 groups.
- Treatment: Water infused with nano‑encapsulated vitamin D3 at 0, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 IU per litre.
- Duration: 13 weeks.
Key Findings
| Dose (IU/l) | Egg Weight ↑ | Fertilisation Rate ↑ | Reproductive Hormones ↑ | Antioxidant Enzymes ↑ | Malondialdehyde ↓ | Eggshell Strength ↑ | Chick Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | Baseline |
| 1,000 | Modest ↑ | Slight ↑ | Minor rise | Mild increase | Small decrease | No change | Normal |
| 2,000 | Significant ↑ | Notable ↑ | Luteinising hormone, estradiol, testosterone ↑ | High | Low | – | Strongest chicks |
| 4,000 | ↑ | No change | Minor rise | Moderate increase | Low | Thicker shells | Slightly slower |
- Calcium: Blood calcium remained stable across all groups, indicating sufficient dietary supply.
Interpretation
- A moderate dose (2,000 IU/l) optimises egg quality and reproductive success while enhancing antioxidant defenses.
- The highest dose (4,000 IU/l) improves eggshell strength but does not boost fertilisation and slightly hampers chick growth.
- Excess vitamin D3 offers diminishing returns and can negatively affect development.
Conclusion
Supplementing pigeon water with a moderate level of nano‑encapsulated vitamin D3 improves egg production, hormone balance, and chick vitality. Over‑supplementation may negate benefits and hinder growth.
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