It is a feature of most dietary ingredients. Animals require energy for growth, maintenance, digestion, and reproduction. The major energy sources in poultry diets are cereal grains, such as wheat and corn, with their high carbohydrate content. Vitamins and Minerals Vitamins and minerals as a group are required by all animals in order to maintain health and maximize production. Which ones are essential, and the concentrations which are required varies amongst animal species.
Vitamins are organic compounds which are required in very small amounts.
They are important for most physiological processes, including normal growth, feathering and leg development. Minerals are often classified as macro or trace minerals in reference to the concentrations required. In some cases, calcium and phosphorus for example, the ratio of one to the other is also important. Deficiencies can lead to similar problems as those caused by inadequate dietary vitamins. They are therefore supplemented in diets by using vitamin and mineral premixes.