The Use of Clay in Poultry Feed

Abstract

Abstract-Dietary clay supplements (bentonite and kaolinite) have been used as binding and lubricating agents in the production of pelleted feeds for chickens. The high-swelling and water absorbing capacity of some bentonites make them attractive dietrary additives for control of wet droppings in caged layers. In addition, experiments show that layers fed on these diets exhibit significant increases in body weight, egg size, and life expectancy even though their total caloric intake is less than that of the control group. Dietary kaolin improves caloric efficiency even more than bentonite but without apparent effect upon growth or carcass quality. Kaolins of smaller particle size are superior to those of larger size in improving caloric efficiency. The effective kaolins are estimated to be worth approximately two calories of metabolizable energy per gram. The major beneficial effect appears to be due to a slowing down of the rate of feed passage through the intestinal tract. Possible uptake of trace elements required for optimum nutrition has not yet been evaluated.

Meat and Bone Meal and Mineral Feed Additives May Increase the Risk of Oral Prion Disease Transmission

“…Increased uptake of particle-bound prions might explain enhanced oral transmissibility. Alternatively, aluminosilicates may increase residence time of agent in the digestive system (Bringe & Schultz, 1969; Collings et al, 1980; Quisenberry, 1968) and elevate exposure time at sites of conversion. Further investigation into these mechanisms, the effect of digestive processes on bound prions, and alterations of agent physicochemical properties upon binding is warranted.…”

“…Further, aluminosilicates increase residence time of feed in the digestive system (Bringe & Schultz, 1969; Collings et al, 1980; Quisenberry, 1968), preserve consumed nitrogen in usable forms for rumen bacteria (Mumpton, 1999), and aid in drug delivery (Byrne & Deasy, 2005). Johnson et al (2007) previously reported that the aluminosilicate mineral Mte increased the oral transmissibility of a low dose of prions by a factor of 680.…”

The Application of Natural Zeolites in Animal Science and Aquaculture

“…Since 1965, experiments have been in progress in Japan on the use of natural zeolites as dietary supplements for poultry, swine and cattle. Based on the successful use of montmorillonite clay in slowing down the passage of nutrients in the digestive system of chickens and the resultant improvement in caloric efficiency, as reported by Quisenberry (1968), clinoptilolite and mordenite have been added to the normal protein diets of pigs, chickens, and ruminants at several agricultural stations and livestock farms in Japan. Significant increases in the gain of body weight per unit of feed consumed (feed efficiency) and in the "general health" of the animals have been achieved (Minato, 1968).…”

Growth performance parameters and selected quality traits of meat and femoral bone of broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with amorphous diatomaceous earth

“…In addition, diatomaceous earth affects body detoxification and bowel purgation (also from residues of veterinary pharmaceuticals), which increases feed intake by animals. What is more, according to other researchers, the intake of fine-grain feed additives may improve absorption of nutrients in poultry (Quisenberry 1967, van der Meulen et al 2008.…”

“…Diatomaceous earth (diatomite) is a natural sedimentary rock, formed mainly by fossilized frustules of diatoms -single-celled algae. These organisms had lived many millions years ago in the aquatic environment, and then -as a result of successive drying out of water bodies -they have formed deposits of diatomaceous earth (Round et al 1990). As reported by Fields (2000), the frustules of diatoms in diatomite are built mainly of silica (SiO 2 ) and trace amounts of other mineral compounds, like: aluminum, iron oxide, lime, magnesium or sodium.…”