Trace mineral nutrition for broiler chickens and prospects of application of organically complexed trace minerals: a review

Abstract

This review critically examines the literature on the current status of trace mineral nutrition and the effect of organically complexed trace minerals, focusing on copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), on broiler chicken production. The requirements of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn by broiler chickens need to be redefined due to today’s fast growing birds and the availability of organic trace minerals. Zn is one of the key trace minerals for chickens and although it maintains a relatively stable tissue concentration, dietary deficiency of Zn strongly depresses the feed intake, and hence the growth, of broiler chickens. Based on studies using a semiconventional diet, it is reasonable to conclude that the total Zn requirement for broiler chickens is around 60 mg/kg up until day 14 and 70 mg/kg from 14 day onwards, including the Zn content in the basal diet. However, it is difficult to determine the requirements of other organic trace minerals such as Cu, Fe and Mn because under a Zn adequate condition, it is impossible to produce deficient symptoms of these minerals on the basis of growth response. It also identifies gaps in knowledge of inorganic and organic trace mineral nutrition for the modern broiler chicken.