In broiler compound premix feed, the scientific control of mineral addition is a key aspect of ensuring healthy broiler growth and improving breeding efficiency. Minerals, as essential nutrients for broiler growth, not only participate in physiological processes such as bone development and enzyme activity regulation, but also directly affect feed conversion ratio and meat quality. However, more minerals are not necessarily better; both excessive and insufficient amounts can lead to metabolic disorders, growth inhibition, and even death. Therefore, comprehensive control is needed from seven aspects: mineral selection, addition ratio, interactions, raw material quality, feeding stage, environmental factors, and dynamic monitoring.
Mineral selection should be guided by the physiological needs of broilers. Calcium and phosphorus are core elements for bone development, and their ratio directly affects bone strength and feed utilization. An imbalance in the calcium-phosphorus ratio may lead to skeletal deformities and stunted growth in broilers. Sodium and chloride are supplemented through salt to maintain fluid balance and neuromuscular function, but excessive amounts can easily cause poisoning. Micronutrients such as magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium, although required in small amounts, participate in processes such as enzyme synthesis and immune regulation; deficiency or excess can disrupt metabolic balance. For example, iron deficiency can lead to anemia, while excessive copper can cause liver damage.
The proportions of added minerals must strictly adhere to scientific standards. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is generally best at 1.1-1.5:1, meeting the needs of bone development while avoiding interference with the absorption of other minerals. Salt addition is generally controlled at 0.3%-0.37%, but if the feed already contains high-salt ingredients such as fishmeal, the salt amount should be reduced accordingly to prevent sodium poisoning. The amount of trace elements added needs to be dynamically adjusted according to the broiler's growth stage. For example, the brooding period requires higher levels of iron and zinc to support immune system development; the fattening period requires increased levels of manganese and selenium to improve meat quality and antioxidant capacity.
The interactions between minerals must be carefully considered. Calcium competes with phosphorus and magnesium for absorption; excessive calcium can inhibit phosphorus and magnesium absorption, leading to bone softening or muscle spasms. Copper has an antagonistic effect with zinc and iron; high doses of copper may reduce the utilization rate of zinc and iron, causing zinc deficiency dermatitis or iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, the mineral ratio in broiler compound premix feed needs to be optimized through experiments to ensure synergistic effects of each element and avoid mutual interference.
The quality of raw materials directly affects mineral availability. Natural mineral raw materials often contain heavy metals, impurities, or anti-nutritional factors. For example, phosphate rock powder has a high fluoride content, and long-term use may lead to fluorosis. Therefore, it is necessary to select raw materials with high purity and few impurities, such as dicalcium phosphate, to replace phosphate rock powder, in order to reduce the intake of harmful substances. At the same time, organic minerals (such as amino acid chelated iron and zinc) are more easily absorbed than inorganic forms, which can improve bioavailability and reduce the amount added.
The feeding stage and growth requirements need to be precisely matched. During the chick stage, bone development is rapid, and the demand for calcium and phosphorus is high, so the mineral ratio in broiler compound premix feed needs to be increased. During the fattening period, broilers mainly focus on muscle growth, so the calcium content needs to be appropriately reduced to avoid deposition in soft tissues and causing gout. In addition, in the high temperature environment of summer, broilers breathe faster and urinate more, which can easily lead to mineral loss. It is necessary to appropriately increase electrolyte supplementation (such as potassium and sodium) to maintain fluid balance.
The impact of environmental factors on mineral requirements cannot be ignored. High-altitude areas have strong ultraviolet radiation, which increases vitamin D synthesis and promotes calcium absorption. However, excessive calcium content in feed can still lead to hypercalcemia. In areas with high water hardness, the calcium and magnesium content in the water is high, requiring a corresponding reduction in the amount of minerals added to the feed to avoid excessive intake. Furthermore, poor feed storage conditions (such as dampness and high temperatures) can cause minerals to clump and deteriorate, reducing their effectiveness; therefore, stricter storage management is necessary.
Dynamic monitoring and adjustment are key to scientific control. Regularly testing the mineral content in broiler blood and bones, combined with indicators such as growth performance and feed conversion ratio, can assess the effectiveness of mineral supplementation. If abnormal bone development, rough feathers, or decreased feed intake are observed, the broiler compound premix feed formula should be adjusted promptly. Simultaneously, a mineral supplementation record system should be established to track raw material batches, dosages, and breeding effects, providing a basis for subsequent formula optimization.
