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Minerals for poultry
Nutritional requirements have been determined in poultry for calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), selenium (Se), sodium (Na), and zinc (Zn). The need for other trace and ultra trace minerals like chromium (Cr) and fluor (F) is an active area of research. Minerals are normally divided into macro and micro (i.e., trace). Macro minerals are those needed in greater quantities and include Ca, P, Na, Cl, K, and Mg and of those Ca, P, Na, and Cl are normally supplemented in the diets of birds.
Trace mineral premixes normally include Cu, I, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn. Supplementation of Se is normally limited by government regulations to 0.3 ppm as its excess is toxic for poultry. As important as the mineral itself is the source of the mineral, which determines its bioavailability, digestibility and absorption. By convention, sulfate sources are considered to be 100% relative bioavailable and most mineral requirement have been established using sulfate sources. Relative bioavailability (RB) varies greatly among mineral sources for example CuSO4 is 100% bioavailable whereas CuO is 0%. Example, a mineral premix indicates that provides 16 ppm of Cu in the final diet. If the Cu source is CuSO4, which is 100% RB, then the bird will receive 20 ppm of bioavailable Cu likely meeting its nutrient needs. However, if the Cu source is CuO, then the bird will receive 0 ppm of Cu from the mineral premix and likely be Cu deficient.
Other sources like FeCO3 can have a RB varying between 0 and 88% so if this source is used to supplement Fe to birds its effect can be widely variable depending on the source and batch of FeCO3. Example, a mineral premix indicates that provides 20 ppm of Fe in the final diet. If the Fe source is FeSO4 monohydrate, which is 100% RB, then the bird will receive 20 ppm of bioavailable Fe likely meeting its nutrient needs. However, if the Fe source is FeCO3, then the bird may receive 2 ppm (at 20% RB), 10 ppm (at 50% RB), or 17.6 ppm (at 88% RB) of Fe that could lead to an Fe deficiency.
In summary, when looking at mineral premixes ensure that 1) it will provide the amount of mineral supplementation needed to meet the nutritional needs of poultry, 2) that the mineral is actually going to be bioavailable to poultry, in other words look at the mineral source and its RB, and 3) that the premix is included in the final diet according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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17 Replies
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Detailed
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Thanks for your good sharing
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Well said
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Thank you Jeffrey for the update and Scholarly responses, kudos to you all hope we are going to have a wonderful 2025!Scholarly responses kudos to you all hope we are going to have a wonderful 2025!
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👍
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Good
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👍
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👍
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Well
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Poultry required, Calcium, phosphorus, and manganese are essential for bone development.
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Thanks
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Good
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Poultry require a variety of minerals to support their health and growth, include calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.
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Thanks for your time
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