| abstract |
This disclosure relates to a family of micronutrient supplements that can be used in food or in animal feeds and to methods of enhancing the growth of animals using one or more of the supplements. The family of micronutrient supplements is an ammine chloride salt of an essential metal. Representative essential metals for use according to this disclosure include a divalent or trivalent cation of zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, chrome, iron, cobalt and calcium. When provided as a metal ammine chloride salt, the essential metal is highly bioavailable to enhance the survivability, growth, health and/or reproductivity of animals. The micronutrient supplement can be administered to animals either as a single supplement or admixed with other nutrients or feeds. |