Minerals:
Macro-nutrients: These are required in large amounts. These include Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cl, S and P.
Micronutrients: These are required only in small amounts. These include cu, Co, Cr, Zn, Se, Fe, Mn, I, etc.
Calcium (Ca)
Function:
√ Major component of bones and teeth and essential in blood coagulation, nerve and muscle function, and milk and egg production.
Deficiency signs:
√ Retarded growth, deformed bones in young animals (rickets), soft-shelled eggs, and osteoporosis in older animals.
Sources:
√ Milk, oyster shells, and limestone.
Sodium chloride
Considered together because of a close biochemical relationship and are provided as common salt (NaCl)
Function:
√ Required for the formation and retention, concentration, n, and pH of body fluids, such as protoplasm, and blood.
√ Important in the formation of digestive juices and functions in nerve and muscle activity.
Deficiency signs:
√ Poor condition and depressed appetite. Most farm-produced feeds are deficient in these two minerals.
Sources:
√ Salt supplements and injectable products.
Phosphorus (P)
Function:
√ Essential for the formation of bones, teeth, and body fluids.
√ Required for metabolism, cell respiration, and normal reproduction.
Deficiency signs:
√ Similar to calcium deficiency, lack of appetite, poor reproduction,n, and unthrifty appearance.
Sources:
√ Dicalcium phosphate, bone meal, and low fluorine phosphates.
Potassium (K)
Function:
√ Retention and formation of body fluids, pH concentration of body fluid, and rumen digestion.
Deficiency signs:
√ Nonspecific and unlikely under most conditions but may have decreased feed consumption and efficiency.
Sources:
√ Roughages.
√ Grains are less than roughage.
Manganese (Mn)
Function:
√ Fetal development, udder development, milk production, and skeleton development.
Deficiency signs:
√ Abortions, reduced fertility, deformed young, and poor growth.
Sources: Most use trace mineralized salt.
Copper (Cu)
Function:
√ Should be present in animal tissues for iron to be properly utilized, hemoglobin formation, and synthesis of keratin for fair and wool growth.
Deficiency signs:
√ Poor pigmentation of feathers, stringy wool, sway-back lambs, lack of muscle coordination, and anemia.
√ De-pigmentation classically occurs as grey/brown discoloration of the coat especially around the ear margins and eyes.
Sources:
√ Forages and copper salts.
Iron (Fe):
Function:
√ Essential for the function of every organ and tissue of the body (Hemoglobin).
Deficiency signs:
√ Seldom occurs in older animals, nutritional anemia, labored breathing,g and pale eyelids, ears, and nose.
Sources:
√ Forages and copper or trace mineral salts.
Cobalt (Co):
Function:
√ Required as a nutrient for the microorganisms in ruminants and thereby aids in the rumen synthesis of Vitamin B12.
√ Because swine cannot manufacture B12 from cobalt, the diets are supplemental with vitamin B12 instead.
Deficiency signs:
√ Lack of appetite, loss of weight, rough hair coat, anemia, decreased milk and wool production, and death in extreme cases.
Sources:
√ Legume forages and salt containing cobalt.
Magnesium (Mg)
Function:
√ Similar to calcium and phosphorus.
Deficiency signs:
√ Animals are irritable, their heartbeat is irregular and there is severe kidney damage.
Sources:
√ Mineral supplements and ordinary feeds
