1. Gelatin prepared from calf bones (GCB) is a novel source of high-quality protein and phosphorus. Its inclusion in broiler chicken diets may improve bone strength, plasma and digestive alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), phosphorus digestibility and performance of broilers. Therefore, dicalcium phosphate in a corn-soy control diet was replaced with 12, 24, and 36 g/kg of GCB in a completely randomised design with four treatments of six replicates and 10 chicks in each pen. The trial lasted from 1 to 42 d of age. 2. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly. Plasma calcium and phosphorus concentration along with plasma and digestive ALP were assayed throughout the trial. Trypsin, α-amylase, lipase and total protease activity were assayed at 14 and 28 d of age. Tibia ash, calcium and phosphorus content and breaking strength were measured at 14, 28 and 42 d of age. Phosphorus digestibility was measured at 36 d of age. 3. Body weight and feed intake showed no significant differences between controls and diets containing 12 and 36 g/kg GCB. Tibia ash and tibia length were increased by supplementation of GCB (P ≤ 0.001). Tibia calcium and phosphorus content were increased by GCB inclusion at 14 d of age (P ≤ 0.001). Digestive alkaline phosphatase activity was increased and trypsin activity was reduced by inclusion of GCB (P ≤ 0.001; P ≤ 0.004). α-amylase activity decreased by inclusion of 12 and 24 g/kg GCB, whereas an increase in α-amylase activity was observed by inclusion of 36 g/kg GCB (P ≤ 0.001). Supplementation of diets with GCB increased phosphorus digestibility (P ≤ 0.01) and suppressed ileum growth during the experimental period. 4. Results of the current study showed that phosphorus from gelatin can greatly improve broiler bone characteristics and phosphorus digestibility and complete elimination of inorganic phosphate sources from broiler diets is feasible with inclusion of 36 g/kg high phosphorus gelatin.
