Scientists wanted to find out if young chickens could pick the right food to help them grow strong and healthy. They gave some chickens a choice between different types of feed with different amounts of calcium and phosphorus—two minerals that help bones grow. The chickens naturally chose the foods with more phosphorus, and this helped them grow bigger and develop stronger bones. This research shows that chickens have an instinct to select foods that help their bodies work better, similar to how humans might crave certain foods when their bodies need them.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can young chickens choose the right combination of minerals in their food to grow healthy and strong?
  • Who participated: Young broiler chickens (the type raised for meat) that were separated by gender and raised under normal farm conditions for the first three weeks of life
  • Key finding: When given a choice, chickens strongly preferred feed with higher phosphorus levels, and this choice led to better growth and stronger bones compared to chickens eating lower-phosphorus diets
  • What it means for you: This suggests that animals have natural instincts to select foods their bodies need. While this is interesting for poultry farming, it may also hint at how animals’ natural food preferences can guide their nutrition—though this research is specific to chickens and early growth periods

The Research Details

Researchers divided young chickens into groups and tested 10 different feeding scenarios over three weeks. Some groups received only one type of feed, while other groups were given a choice between two different feeds. The two feeds differed in how much calcium and phosphorus they contained—one mineral that helps bones form and stay strong. The scientists measured how much each chicken weighed at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks old, and tracked which feed the chickens preferred when given choices.

At the end of the three-week period, the researchers examined the chickens’ leg bones to see how strong and dense they had become. They measured the mineral content in the bones and tested how much force the bones could handle before breaking. This helped them understand whether the chickens’ food choices actually led to healthier, stronger bones.

The study kept male and female chickens separate to see if there were any differences in their preferences or growth patterns. All chickens were raised under the same standard conditions so that food choice was the main variable being tested.

Understanding how animals naturally select their food is important for farming because it could help farmers create better feeding systems. If we know what minerals young chickens instinctively prefer, we might be able to design farms where animals can self-select their nutrition, potentially leading to healthier animals and better food production. This research also provides insight into animal behavior and whether creatures have built-in nutritional wisdom.

This study was published in a respected scientific journal focused on poultry research. The researchers used a controlled experimental design with multiple treatment groups, which is a solid approach. However, the abstract doesn’t specify exactly how many chickens were studied, which would help readers understand the study’s scale. The study measured concrete outcomes like bone strength and mineral content, which are objective and reliable measures. The three-week timeframe is appropriate for studying young chicken development.

What the Results Show

When chickens were given a choice between two feeds where one had low phosphorus and the other had high phosphorus, the chickens clearly preferred the high-phosphorus feed. This preference was strong and consistent across the groups tested. The chickens that ate more phosphorus grew noticeably larger and heavier than those eating lower-phosphorus diets.

The research also found that phosphorus intake appeared to be the key factor driving growth, regardless of calcium levels. In other words, chickens prioritized getting enough phosphorus, and their body weight increased when they consumed more of this mineral. However, the strongest bones—measured by density and breaking strength—developed when chickens had access to both high calcium AND high phosphorus. This suggests that while phosphorus is the primary driver of growth, calcium is still important for bone quality.

The study showed that male and female chickens were reared separately, though the abstract doesn’t specify whether their preferences or growth patterns differed significantly. The fact that chickens made these choices consistently suggests they have some natural ability to sense what their bodies need.

The bone analysis revealed important details about mineral accumulation. Chickens that consumed higher amounts of both calcium and phosphorus had bones with greater mineral density and stronger structural integrity. The breaking strength of bones—essentially how much force they could withstand—was maximized when mineral intake was highest. This indicates that the chickens’ food choices weren’t just supporting growth in body weight, but also supporting the development of physically stronger skeletal systems.

This research builds on the principle that animals can self-regulate their nutrient intake when given choices. Previous studies have suggested that various animals possess some ability to select foods that meet their nutritional needs. This study specifically demonstrates that principle in young chickens during their critical early growth phase, adding to our understanding of poultry nutrition and animal behavior. The findings align with the theory that animals have nutritional wisdom, though this appears to be most reliable for certain key nutrients like phosphorus.

The study abstract doesn’t provide the exact number of chickens tested, making it difficult to assess how robust the findings are. The research only followed chickens for three weeks, so we don’t know if these preferences and growth patterns continue as chickens mature. The study was conducted under standard farm conditions, which may not reflect all possible environments or management systems. Additionally, the research focused specifically on calcium and phosphorus; it’s unclear whether chickens would show similar self-selection abilities for other important nutrients. The study doesn’t explain the biological mechanism behind how chickens sense and prefer higher phosphorus levels.

The Bottom Line

For poultry farmers: This research suggests that allowing young chickens to choose between feeds with different mineral levels may support better growth and bone development, particularly if higher-phosphorus options are available. However, farmers should ensure that all available feed options meet minimum nutritional standards. For general readers: This is primarily relevant to commercial poultry production rather than home settings. The findings suggest that animals have some nutritional instincts, but this doesn’t mean all animal food choices are optimal—professional nutritional guidance is still important.

Poultry farmers and agricultural scientists should find this research most relevant for improving chicken production systems. Veterinarians working with poultry operations may use these insights when advising on feeding strategies. Animal nutritionists can apply these findings to develop better feeding programs. General consumers interested in how farm animals are raised may find this interesting for understanding animal behavior. This research is NOT directly applicable to human nutrition or pet feeding without further study.

In the context of this study, the effects were visible within three weeks—chickens showed preference for higher-phosphorus feeds within days, and growth differences were measurable within one to two weeks. For practical farm applications, farmers would likely see improved growth rates and bone quality within the first three weeks of a chicken’s life if they implement choice-feeding systems based on these findings.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If managing a small flock or educational poultry project, track weekly body weight measurements and feed consumption amounts for each feed type offered. Record which feed type chickens prefer by measuring the proportion of each feed consumed daily.
  • For poultry managers: Implement a choice-feeding system where young chickens have access to both standard and phosphorus-enriched feed options during the first three weeks of life. Monitor consumption patterns and adjust feed formulations based on observed preferences and growth outcomes.
  • Measure and record chicken body weight weekly for the first three weeks. At the end of week three, assess bone quality through observation of mobility and strength (how well chickens stand and move). Track feed intake ratios daily to understand preference patterns. Compare growth rates and bone development between chickens offered single feeds versus choice feeds.

This research is specific to young broiler chickens and their early growth phase (0-21 days). The findings should not be applied to other animal species, different age groups, or human nutrition without additional research. If you raise poultry or manage a farm, consult with a veterinarian or poultry nutritionist before making changes to feeding systems. This study provides scientific insight into chicken behavior and nutrition but does not replace professional agricultural advice. Always ensure all feed options meet established nutritional standards for your specific poultry operation.