One cannot dispute the value of trace minerals in an animal’s diet. Trace minerals promote healthy growth, immunity and reproduction performance In the past, trace minerals were only available in one of two forms: sulphates and organic trace minerals. IntelliBond created a completely new category by introducing hydroxy trace minerals.
IntelliBond has six main features that make it superior in comparison to earlier generation feed additives. With one of the most important being the palatability of theses hydroxy trace minerals. In this article, we will be discussing how studies show a higher palatability of IntelliBond to traditional micro additives. This article summarises a series of trials, demonstrating IntelliBond as the preferred trace mineral source by animals.
How trace mineral structure affects palatability
When looking at the palatability of micro additives, one must look at molecular structure in order to understand why animals prefer one over another.
The ionic bonds of sulphates are weaker than the covalent bonds found in IntelliBond’s hydroxy trace minerals. When the sulphates encounter moisture (such as the saliva from an animal), dissociation of metal occurs. These free metal ions activate the animals’ T2R bitter-sensing receptors. As animals have evolved to associate metallic tastes with plant toxicity, they will avoid the feed if possible.
Poultry and swine reveal higher palatability in IntelliBond C
Palatability in poultry studies
As seen above, when broiler and layer diets contained copper sulphate as a feed additive, feed intake was decreased. However, when IntelliBond C was added, their intake remained the same as without an additive (Miles et al., 1998; Kim et al., 2016).
Palatability in swine studies
As the graph shows, pigs were given the choice between feed containing copper sulphate and feed containing IntelliBond C. The pigs chose the feed with IntelliBond 65% of the time (Coble et al., 2015).
Calves show preference to IntelliBond
According to this 2017 study calves consistently showed preference to the feed containing IntelliBond as the micro additive (Wiebush et al., 2015; Caramalac et al., 2017; Ranches et al., 2018). IntelliBond C (copper), IntelliBond Z (zinc) and IntelliBond M (manganese) were tested separately, and the result was the same each time: the calves preferred the feed with IntelliBond over the feed with sulphates or organic trace minerals (Caramalac et al., 2017).
If you are aware of the importance of trace minerals but frustrated by poor feed intake, IntelliBond’s improved palatability may be the solution. Browse our articles or contact one of our staff members if you have any questions. We recommend our animal health specialist, Dr Heinri Spangenberg: heinri@westside.co.za or +27 82 563 5688.