The various types of minerals in poultry diets have different effects and functions. Macrominerals are often components of structural tissue (e.g. bone, muscle, organs, soft tissue) or body fluids. They play a key role in the maintenance of the acid-base balance and osmotic pressure. In case of nervous transmission, muscle function and membrane electric potential, they are crucial.
Microminerals include components of hormones, metallo-enzymes and enzyme factors, a few vitamins and amino acids. They also are related to adequate immune response and play a main role in the control of cell replication and differentiation.
Se, Mn, Zn, Cu, cobalt and iodine have to be supplemented to poultry diets, because the levels found in different feed raw materials are often too low for reaching expected performance levels (Ewing and Charlton, 2007).