Silicon activates the immune system and supports bone quality in poultry. In quail and broilers, feeding studies of silicon supplements report an improvement measured directly on bone strength and density.
A silicon deficiency causes bone and cartilage defects: collagen is reduced and calcification falls. Biologically active silicon makes up that shortfall, and wound healing improves with it.
Direct measurements of bone mass and strength across many animal models have shown the value of silicon supplements in raising bone mineral density and reducing bone fragility.
Source: The International Journal of Endocrinology, volume 2013 (2013), article ID 316783.