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How much 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 should you add? A comprehensive guide to the scientifically recommended dosage!
Release time:
2026-07-03
When it comes to the usage and dosage of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, many users often wonder: “The product does deliver results, but how much should I add per ton of feed? Adding too much risks waste, while adding too little may compromise efficacy. How can I determine an appropriate inclusion level?” Today, we’ll provide a detailed analysis of this issue.
1. How is the addition level determined?
The core basis is bioavailability.
When determining the appropriate dosage, the first factor to consider is “absorption efficiency.” Conventional vitamin D3 must first be emulsified into chylomicrons before it can be absorbed by the intestine; it is then converted in the liver into 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to exert its biological activity. In contrast, orally administered 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is directly absorbed through the intestinal mucosa into the bloodstream, with an absorption rate approaching 100%. Multiple studies have shown that the overall biological potency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is 3–5 times that of conventional vitamin D3, and this difference becomes even more pronounced when intestinal absorption is impaired, hepatic function is compromised, or the body is under stress.
Official Standards and Conversion Methods
To standardize the market, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and regulatory agencies worldwide have established clear recommended levels, maximum limits, and conversion factors: 1 IU of vitamin D3 equals 0.025 μg, and 1 μg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is equivalent to 40 IU of vitamin D3. This is why, when determining inclusion levels, we cannot simply adopt the dosage of vitamin D3 as is; instead, a proper conversion is required.
II. How much should be added, exactly?
In Announcement No. 2625 of the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, “Safety Use Standards for Feed Additives,” the following maximum usage limits for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 are specified.
Regulatory cap
According to regulations, the maximum permitted level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in swine feed is 50 μg/kg, in broiler feed it is 100 μg/kg, and in laying hens and other poultry it is 80 μg/kg. Currently, the two most common commercial grades of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 are 1.25% and 0.05%; accordingly, the upper limits for its inclusion in feeds for different animal species are:
Pig feed: 1.25% at a rate of 4 g/t, and 0.05% at a rate of 100 g/t;
Broiler feed: 1.25% at a rate of 8 g/t, and 0.05% at a rate of 200 g/t;
Poultry feed for laying hens and other poultry: 1.25% at a rate of 6.4 g/t; 0.05% at a rate of 160 g/t.
Recommended dosage
Summarizing the findings of our company’s research and other publicly available literature, and taking into account the current typical inclusion levels of vitamin D3 in feed, we conclude that the supplementation level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 should not be less than 50% of the maximum permitted limit; accordingly, the actual inclusion rate should fall within the range of 50% to 100% of the maximum limit, as follows:
Pig feed: 1.25% at a rate of 2–4 g/t; 0.05% at a rate of 50–100 g/t.
Broiler feed: 1.25% at a rate of 4–8 g/t; 0.05% at a rate of 100–200 g/t.
Poultry feed for laying hens and other poultry: 1.25% formulation at 3.2–6.4 g/t; 0.05% formulation at 80–160 g/t.
For detailed recommended application rates by product type and growth stage, please consult our Technical Department or sales representatives.
Other animals
To date, China has not approved this substance for use in animals other than pigs and poultry; however, the European Union has already granted approval, effective in 2024 for ruminants and in 2025 for all other species, including aquaculture animals. The maximum residue limits are as follows: 0.1 mg/kg for cattle and sheep, 0.05 mg/kg for other ruminants; 0.8 mg/kg for salmonids, 0.075 mg/kg for other fish, and 0.05 mg/kg for all remaining species. When converted to the two available concentrations—1.25% and 0.05%—the equivalents are as follows:
Cattle and sheep: the 1.25% formulation is at 8 g/t, and the 0.05% formulation is at 200 g/t;
Other ruminants: 1.25% formulation at 4 g/t, 0.05% formulation at 100 g/t;
Salmonids: 1.25% at a specification of 64 g/t, 0.05% at a specification of 1,600 g/t;
Other fish species: 1.25% at a rate of 6 g/t, 0.05% at a rate of 150 g/t;
Other animals: 1.25% specification is 4 g/t, and 0.05% specification is 100 g/t;
III. Summary
In summary, the appropriate level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation should take regulatory constraints into account while being grounded in empirical research and practical performance. It must also consider a range of factors—including market conditions, company-specific circumstances, and cost‑control measures—to inform sound decision‑making. By thoroughly understanding the relevant standards, accurately determining the dosage, and basing choices on real‑world needs, every investment can be translated into tangible improvements in livestock production outcomes.
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