Home > Crops & Livestock > Livestock > Poultry > Nutrition > Trace Minerals for Swine and Poultry [Image: Feeding Pigs] Trace minerals are important nutrients in diets for swine and poultry. They are required for growth, bone development, feathering in chickens, enzyme structure and function, and appetite. Over the last 20 years, scientists in the LSU AgCenter have played an important role in understanding the need for and use of trace minerals in diets for animals. Adding Phytase Proves Positive for Poultry, Swine Diet [Image: Piglets] Phytate is a compound found in many common feed ingredients that decreases nutrient availability in animal diets. The main anti-nutritional effect of phytate is that it makes phytate phosphorus unavailable for digestion and absorption by nonruminants such as swine and poultry. Phytate also has negative effects on digestive enzymes, trace minerals, calcium, protein and amino acids, and carbohydrates. Useful Links for Poultry Nutrition [Image: Poultry] Other universities and extension services throughout the United States have produced quality materials on poultry nutrition. This list of links showcases some of that work.