| abstract |
An animal feed containing a carboxylic acid either as the sole active ingredient or in combination with 1 alpha -hydroxylated vitamin D compounds and/or phytase. The carboxylic acid or the combination of carboxylic acid with vitamin D compounds and/or phytase causes improved utilization of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and manganese in animal feed so as to minimize, or perhaps eliminate, the need for supplemental quantities of these minerals in an animal diet. In addition, low phosphorus containing animal feeds reduce the polluting effects on the environment since less phosphorus is excreted in the animal's feces which are then spread on agricultural land. |