Metal Toxicosis in Poultry – a Review

At high levels all mineral elements can produce adverse effects in animals. Thus, the essential minerals must be provided in the diet at concentrations sufficient optimum response and the dietary intake of other minerals must be low enough to provide complete safety for both the animals and also the human population which will consume the meat and eggs. Dietary maximum tolerable levels have been generated which can serve as guidelines in ensuring safety for both domestic animals and humans. Although there are several potential dietary sources of toxic elements for poultry, adequate quality control programs at the feed mill coupled with good manufacturing practices and a knowledgeable nutritionist should greatly decrease the likelihood of significant contamination. Contaminated ground water from hazardous waste sites and other forms of industrial pollution as well as municipal waste systems probably represent the most likely sources of contamination in the United States at the present time. (Henry and Miles., 2001).