INFLUENCE OF DIETARY COPPER SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCES OF RUMINANT ANIMALS: REVIEW

Abstract

Copper is an essential trace element required by animals for numerous functions such as its growth promoting effect. Cu supplemental diets significantly improved the growth performance such as the dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily weightgain (ADG) of animals favouring the ideal rumen Cu concentration essential to enhance rumination. Mineral supplementation is essential to livestock in order to overcome the detrimental influences it has on animal performance. In conclusion, for the fact ruminants are more vulnerable to copper deficiency than any other living organism simply because of the complex nutritional interaction occurring in the rumen, thus this necessitated the need to always supplement dietary copper in their diet.