The benefits of organic trace mineral supplementation in poultry

Trace mineral nutrition is a small component of the complete diet but can have a significant impact on the animal’s health, immunity, performance and even reproduction. Addressing the trace mineral status (after protein and energy needs have been met) has become increasingly more important, since suboptimal performance can have significant and detrimental effects on performance and thus profitability.

Traditionally the industry has relied on inorganic trace minerals to try to meet requirements. However, inorganic trace minerals such as oxides, sulfates, chlorides and hydroxy trace minerals are prone to mineral antagonisms, negatively influencing absorption and bioavailability. Phytates, oxalates and fat can also form insoluble complexes with certain inorganic trace minerals, leading to higher excretion rates, which can have a detrimental impact not only on performance but on the environment as well. Even though we rarely see signs of deficiencies, suboptimal trace mineral status is often reflected in poor intake, growth and performance and can add up to substantial economic losses, which tend to become more pronounced in situations where higher production is demanded or the birds are under stress.Organic trace minerals (OTMs) are recognised globally as being a more bioavailable mineral source than their inorganic counterparts. While there are many forms of mineral products available in the marketplace for use in animal nutrition, these have unfortunately been generically entitled “organic trace minerals” by virtue of the fact that the trace elements in question are complexed, chelated or otherwise associated with organic molecules. The importance of understanding the physical and chemical differences between these different OTM product categories cannot be overstated, and as such, manufacturing processes that affect the pH stability and functionality of the finished products need to be carefully evaluated when choosing the right product for your production system.

With proteinated-type OTM products, the hydrolysis procedure used to generate the chelating peptides has a significant impact on pH stability, a key determinant of the product’s overall stability and in vivo efficacy. With increased stability, proteinates are less reactive with other ingredients, including vitamins A, D and E (Concarr, 2021). With increased bioavailability, we can rely on substantially lower and more economical inclusion rates.

A substantial amount of research has evaluated the substitution of inorganic trace minerals with OTMs, leading to a range of benefits in terms of animal health, performance and environmental impact.

Below are some examples of production responses that have been reported when using Alltech’s Bioplex® range of proteinated-metal-chelated trace minerals:

Broilers

Ao et al. (2017) reported that Bioplex trace minerals fed at 25% of the inclusion rate of inorganic trace minerals supported growth and weight gain in broiler chicks.
Broilers supplemented with Bioplex trace minerals at levels as low as 33% of the industry average maintained performance levels and production efficiency (Vieira et al., 2013).
Lippens and Huyghebaert (2006) reported that mineral excretion was significantly reduced when broilers were supplemented with Bioplex trace minerals as compared to inorganic trace minerals and that there was an improvement in FCR for the Bioplex-supplemented groups.
In thermally stressed broilers, supplementation with Bioplex minerals supported feed conversion (Boiago et al., 2013).
When investigating the effect on productive performance and excretion of replacing inorganic trace minerals with Bioplex trace minerals in broiler diets, Nollet et al. (2007) reported that even at lower levels of inclusion FCR was supported, and that there were significantly lower excretion rates for all minerals in broilers receiving the organic mineral diet.

Layers

Trace minerals are essential in the diets of laying hens because they participate in biochemical processes necessary for normal growth and development, including bone and eggshell formation (Richards et al., 2010). Egg production is also very dependent on mineral uptake and availability, thus emphasising the need for organic trace mineral supplementation. Tucker et al. (2003) examined the benefits of supplementing layer diets with organic trace minerals, and their results included a reduced rate of cracked eggs as well as increased shell thickness and density. Several commercial and peer-reviewed research trials also documented the benefits in layer diets:

Ao and Pierce (2006) reported that OTM supplementation, with or without phytase, can improve FCR (feed per dozen eggs) and eggshell quality.
OTM supplementation resulted in less egg loss and better eggshell thickness and strength compared with inorganic mineral supplements (Stefanello et al., 2014).
Nunes et al. (2007) noted improved egg production (%) when comparing OTMs (at lower inclusion rates) to inorganic trace minerals. Macalintal (2010) also reported that hens fed OTMs at 50% of NRC requirements had higher egg production and higher average egg weight.

It is clear that trace minerals are essential and necessary for optimal health, immunity and performance throughout all stages of poultry production. In order to reach production potential and maximise profitability, animals need to have an optimal trace mineral status. OTMs can be included at much lower levels in poultry diets than the current recommendations for inorganic trace minerals, without adverse effects on the animal or the environment. Supplementation with OTMs typically supports weight gain, FCR, an increase in the number of eggs per hen, and improved hatchability, as well as helping to promote overall health. All of these performance parameters can have a direct impact on profitability for today’s poultry producer.